Lyla Lindsey
On January 5, 2022, tennis superstar Novak Djokovic arrived in Melbourne, Australia, onboard an Emirates flight from Dubai. The Serbian star was held and questioned by the Australian Border Force (ABF) for several hours, and his visa was ultimately rejected as authorities did not support vaccine exemption on medical grounds. This sparked controversy, with some deeming it an overbearing public health measure, while others supported the government's COVID-19 policies. Djokovic's deportation arrangements were quickly underway, and he was expected to fly out of Australia within 24 hours of his arrival.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of flight | 5 January 2022 |
| Airline | Emirates |
| Flight number | EK408 |
| Aircraft | Boeing 777-300ER |
| Departure | Dubai |
| Arrival | Melbourne, Australia |
| Flight duration | 14 hours |
| Passenger | Novak Djokovic |
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What You'll Learn
Novak Djokovic's visa rejected by Australia
On Wednesday, 5 January 2022, Novak Djokovic arrived in Melbourne, Australia, on an Emirates flight from Dubai. He intended to compete in the Australian Open, which starts on 17 January. However, after a lengthy waiting period at the airport, the tennis star was informed that he would not be allowed to enter the country.
Djokovic, who is unvaccinated, had received a medical exemption from the tournament organiser, following a review by a panel established by the state government of Victoria. However, his visa was rejected as Australian authorities found discrepancies with his visa application. He was held and questioned by Border Force agents for several hours at Melbourne Airport, guarded by police, while his coach Goran Ivanisevic and other members of his entourage waited for news.
The Serbian's father criticised the Australian government, claiming his son was being kept in a room guarded by police. Djokovic's chances of competing in the Australian Open now look slim. If he is unable to convince Australian authorities to let him into the country in time, it will be his next chance of Grand Slam success at the French Open later this year.
Djokovic challenged the decision to revoke his visa, and on 10 January 2022, a judge ruled that the decision had been unreasonable. The judge ordered that the world number one men's tennis player be released from immigration detention. However, on 14 January, Australia's immigration minister used his discretionary powers to revoke Djokovic's visa for a second time on "health and good order" grounds.
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Djokovic's flight to Australia onboard Emirates Boeing 777-300ER
On January 5, 2022, tennis superstar Novak Djokovic arrived in Melbourne, Australia, onboard an Emirates Boeing 777-300ER. The flight, numbered EK408, landed at Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport at 23:15 local time after 14 hours in the air.
Djokovic, the defending Australian Open champion, had travelled to Australia with a "medical exemption" from vaccination ahead of the 2022 tournament. However, upon landing, he was detained by Australian Border Force (ABF) officials and questioned for several hours. Despite his visa being in order, and having received a certified medical exemption from vaccination, granted after review by a panel established by the state government of Victoria, his entry was refused on the grounds that he did not meet the country's entry requirements.
Djokovic was held in an immigration detention hotel for three days before his visa was officially revoked by Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke. The tennis star was then forced to leave the country on an Emirates Airline Boeing 777, the same airline he entered on. His final destination was not revealed, but it was likely that he returned to his hometown of Belgrade, Serbia.
The incident caused a firestorm in Australia, with the public enraged at Djokovic's exemption and demanding his deportation. The Australian government had been pursuing a Covid-zero policy, and the saga exemplified the country's embrace of lawless Covid-zealotry and heavy-handed rules.
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Tennis star held and questioned by Border Force agents
Tennis star Novak Djokovic was held and questioned by Australian Border Force (ABF) agents upon his arrival in Melbourne, Australia, on January 5, 2022. The Serbian tennis player had travelled to Australia to compete in the Australian Open, holding a temporary visa and a certified medical exemption from vaccination, granted by the tournament organizers and reviewed by a panel from the state government of Victoria.
However, upon landing at Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport, Djokovic was detained by ABF officials, who questioned him for several hours. During this time, his coach, Goran Ivanisevic, and other members of his entourage waited for news, while Djokovic's father claimed to Serbian media that his son was being held in a room guarded by police. The tennis star was eventually told he would not be allowed to enter the country as his visa had been rejected due to vaccine exemption discrepancies.
The decision to reject Djokovic's visa sparked controversy, with the federal government explaining that the initial visa approval was automated and that individuals must prove their vaccination status or valid exemption upon arrival. Prime Minister Scott Morrison stated that Djokovic's claim of a special medical exemption was false and that he was subject to the same rules as anyone else. The rejection of Djokovic's visa also fueled criticism of Australia's strict COVID-19 policies and raised questions about political agendas and the rule of law.
Djokovic challenged the visa rejection in court and won a victory, with the Federal Court ruling that he could stay in the country. This decision was met with a mixed response, with some cheering him on as a champion of freedom and the rule of law, while others expressed outrage due to his refusal to confirm his vaccination status. Despite the court's ruling, arrangements for Djokovic's deportation were still underway, and he faced the possibility of being unable to defend his title at the Australian Open.
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Australian Open participation in doubt over Covid restrictions
Novak Djokovic's participation in the 2022 Australian Open was in doubt after the tennis star, who is unvaccinated, faced issues with his visa application upon arrival in Melbourne.
The Serbian arrived in Melbourne on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, local time, but was held at the airport by Australian Border Force (ABF) officials. Acting Sports Minister Jaala Pulford confirmed that the state government was not supporting his visa application to compete in the Australian Open. Pulford tweeted: "The Federal Government has asked if we will support Novak Djokovic’s visa application to enter Australia. We will not be providing Novak Djokovic with individual visa application support to participate in the 2022 Australian Open Grand Slam."
Prior to his arrival, Djokovic had received a medical exemption from vaccination from Tennis Australia and a temporary visa entitling him to travel to and remain in Australia. However, after landing, he faced scrutiny from border officials, who questioned him for several hours. On Thursday morning, his visa was canceled on the grounds that he did not meet the entry requirements. The Australian government argued that Djokovic was in breach of the rules, and Prime Minister Scott Morrison warned that he would be on the ""next plane home" if he could not provide evidence of his exemption.
There was speculation that Djokovic had contracted Covid-19 for a second time within the past six months, which would have negated the need for vaccination according to rules published by one of two independent medical panels. However, the specifics of his exemption remained unclear, and his involvement in the tournament was uncertain until the Federal Court of Australia ruled in his favor, allowing him to stay in the country and compete.
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Djokovic's victory over the Australian government in court
On January 5, 2022, Novak Djokovic arrived in Melbourne, Australia, on an Emirates flight from Dubai. The tennis superstar had travelled to participate in the Australian Open, which was scheduled to begin on January 17. However, his entry into the country was marked by controversy and drama.
Djokovic, a Serbian national, had been granted a temporary visa and a certified medical exemption from vaccination by the tournament organizers and a panel established by the state government of Victoria. However, upon his arrival, he was detained by the Australian Border Force (ABF) and held for several hours at Melbourne Airport. During this time, his visa was cancelled, and he was told that he would not be granted entry into Australia as the government did not support vaccine exemption on medical grounds.
The decision sparked widespread outrage, particularly given Djokovic's refusal to confirm his vaccination status publicly. The Serbian star's claim that he had received a special medical exemption was refuted by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who stated that Djokovic was subject to the same rules as anyone else. The federal government maintained that the visa approval process is automated and that it is the individual's responsibility to provide valid proof of vaccination or exemption upon arrival.
Despite the initial rejection and the arrangements made for his deportation, Djokovic ultimately scored a victory over the Australian government in court. The Federal Court of Australia ruled in his favour, allowing him to stay in the country. This decision was based on the fact that Djokovic had complied with all the rules for entering the country as he understood them, and the government's retroactive enforcement of rules was deemed unreasonable and persecutorial.
The saga surrounding Djokovic's entry into Australia highlighted the country's stringent Covid-19 policies and the ongoing debate over vaccine mandates and exemptions. It also brought to light the increasing frustration among some Australians towards what they perceived as an overbearing public health response by the government.
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Frequently asked questions
Novak Djokovic flew to Australia onboard an Emirates Boeing 777-300ER.
Djokovic's arrival in Australia caused controversy as he was told he would not be granted entry into the country due to his vaccination status. The tennis star had received a medical exemption from the tournament organiser, but the federal government rejected his visa.
After landing in Melbourne, Djokovic was held and questioned by Australian Border Force agents for several hours. Arrangements were then made to deport him from Australia.
Yes, Djokovic was ultimately allowed to remain in Australia following a swift and resounding judgment by the Federal Court.
