Novak Djokovic visa case not good for tennis, says Andy Murray
09 January 2022 - 18:07 Sudipto Ganguly
Novak Djokovic of Serbia. Picture: GEOFF BURKE/USA TODAY SPORTS
Mumbai — Andy Murray expressed concern for Novak Djokovic on Sunday, saying that other players were shocked and the circumstances surrounding the world No 1’s barred entry into Australia were “really not good for tennis”.
The Serb was hoping to win a record 21st Grand Slam at the Australian Open later in January, but instead of training he has been confined to a room in a hotel in Melbourne used to accommodate asylum seekers.
Djokovic, 34, is challenging the decision to cancel his visa after being stopped on arrival at Melbourne Airport early on Thursday, and a hearing into the case will be held on Monday.
“I think everyone is shocked by it, to be honest,” former world No 1 Murray was quoted as saying by local media in Australia.
“I hope that Novak is OK. I know him well, and I’ve always had a good relationship with him and I hope that he’s OK.
“It’s really not good for tennis at all, and I don't think it's good for anyone involved.”
Djokovic, who has publicly criticised mandatory vaccines, has consistently refused to disclose his inoculation status and said he had been granted a medical exemption to compete in Australia.
Australian Open chief Craig Tiley blamed conflicting and quickly changing directives in a “challenging environment” for the confusion that resulted in Djokovic being refused entry to the country on a medical exemption.
"[I need to] wait and hear exactly what the situation is before commenting on it further, because again I don’t think it’s fair because some of it is speculation,” Murray said.
Novak Djokovic visa case not good for tennis, says Andy Murray
Mumbai — Andy Murray expressed concern for Novak Djokovic on Sunday, saying that other players were shocked and the circumstances surrounding the world No 1’s barred entry into Australia were “really not good for tennis”.
The Serb was hoping to win a record 21st Grand Slam at the Australian Open later in January, but instead of training he has been confined to a room in a hotel in Melbourne used to accommodate asylum seekers.
Djokovic, 34, is challenging the decision to cancel his visa after being stopped on arrival at Melbourne Airport early on Thursday, and a hearing into the case will be held on Monday.
“I think everyone is shocked by it, to be honest,” former world No 1 Murray was quoted as saying by local media in Australia.
“I hope that Novak is OK. I know him well, and I’ve always had a good relationship with him and I hope that he’s OK.
“It’s really not good for tennis at all, and I don't think it's good for anyone involved.”
Djokovic, who has publicly criticised mandatory vaccines, has consistently refused to disclose his inoculation status and said he had been granted a medical exemption to compete in Australia.
Australian Open chief Craig Tiley blamed conflicting and quickly changing directives in a “challenging environment” for the confusion that resulted in Djokovic being refused entry to the country on a medical exemption.
"[I need to] wait and hear exactly what the situation is before commenting on it further, because again I don’t think it’s fair because some of it is speculation,” Murray said.
Reuters
Novak Djokovic was ‘lured to Australia to be humiliated’, Serbia says
Australia slams the gates shut on Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic’s vaccine exemption whips up a storm in Melbourne
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most read
Related Articles
Zverev names himself in ‘big three’ for 2022, along Djokovic and Medvedev
Rafa Nadal tests positive for Covid-19 on return to Spain
Djokovic still the man to beat as off-court issues proliferate
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.