COVID-19 and Tennis

[Pushka]

Actually very few carriers stipulate vaccination as a condition of carriage, certainly not ME, European or US airlines (generally).

Qatar flies people according to the destination country rules.

 

[MARTINE]

I watched it live and heard the word unanimous too.

But if I believe you @DeKa is that hearsay?!
On to the great news that Rafa won his first match and what a decent guy - so much class. Now that ‘ he who shall not be named’ no longer casts a pall over the event there is a visible buzz around the AO… Houdini appears to have made Tiley disappear

 

[Major]

His flight was the most watched on Flightradar24

https://twitter.com/x/status/1482881408586686465

 

[MARTINE]

I don't get my news from TV but read widely so I can make up my mind on issues.
I read those from the right,the left and in the middle. You are as likely to read false news in all of them. More often news that is not in agreement with their fixed views goes unreported.

Fun fact - Serbia is one of the few countries that don’t need the (expensive and very very detailed) visa to get into Russia.

 

[MARTINE]

I guess it depends on the row number ...

With his money why does he take ‘scheduled flights’ (in Succession parlance) and not a private jet.?

 

[VPS]

Is there any other direction?

I have heard rumours

 

[SeatBackForward]

With his money why does he take ‘scheduled flights’ (in Succession parlance) and not a private jet.?

Probably the same reason he *had* to play the AO - the crowds stroke his ego, slim chance of that on a private jet.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Djokovic sponsor Lacoste wants to 'review' Australia events with tennis star​

Novak Djokovic has departed Australia after authorities canceled his visa for a second time. Now, one of his sponsors wants a word.

Lacoste said Monday that it wants to review events that sparked a nearly two-week legal battle and prevented the unvaccinated Serbian from defending his Australian Open title. Australia requires international visitors to be vaccinated against Covid-19 unless they have a medical exemption.

"As soon as possible, we will be in touch with Novak Djokovic to review the events that have accompanied his presence in Australia," the French clothing brand said in a statement.

...

Djokovic's sponsors have said very little since his visa was first revoked shortly after his arrival in Australia on January 5. It is unclear when Djokovic will take to the court again. He will have the chance to break the men's grand slam title record at the French Open in May but the events in Australia have raised questions about how unvaccinated players will compete on the season's tour.

French automaker Peugeot, another Djokovic sponsor now owned by Stellantis, declined to comment on Monday. Swiss watchmaker Hublot and Japanese sportswear giant Asics (ASCCF) did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Djokovic has endorsement deals worth $30 million a year, according to Forbes, and was the world's 46th highest-paid athlete in 2021.

...

Lacoste was founded in 1933 by 7-time grand slam winner, René Lacoste, and entrepreneur André Gillier. The brand became famous for its lightweight cotton polo shirts bearing the logo of a crocodile — a nickname given to Lacoste during his playing days.

Djokovic sponsor Lacoste wants to 'review' Australia events with tennis star

Novak Djokovic has departed Australia after authorities canceled his visa for a second time. Now, one of his sponsors wants a word.

edition.cnn.com

 

[SeatBackForward]

Djokovic sponsor Lacoste wants to 'review' Australia events with tennis star​

NOW he'll be concerned about COVID.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

France change laws on Sunday ...

The Australian Open is the first grand slam of the tennis season. The second is the French Open at Roland Garros, which is being staged between May 22 and June 5.

But all professional athletes who wish to compete in France will have to be vaccinated against Covid-19, France's Sports Ministry told CNN on Monday.

France's vaccine pass law, approved by parliament on Sunday, will require people to have a vaccine certificate to enter public places such as restaurants, cafes, cinemas and sports arenas, among others.

"The rule is simple. The vaccine pass will be required once the law comes into force in institutions that were already subject to the health pass (sporting or cultural). This will apply to everyone (spectators, professional sportspeople)," a French Sports Ministry spokeswoman told CNN.

Novak Djokovic arrives back in Belgrade after deportation from Australia | CNN

Novak Djokovic has arrived back in Serbia's capital Belgrade after his deportation from Australia ended the world No. 1 tennis player's hopes of playing in the Australian Open.

edition.cnn.com

 

[henrus]

Not surprised but his life is looking rather painful right now...

1. Deported from Australia (knock on impacts when visiting other countries)
2. Unable to play in the Australian open
3. Potential sponsor loss
4. Probably unable to play in the French open
5. Constant media attention (realistically a bad thing)

Have I missed anything?

 

[TheRealTMA]

France change laws on Sunday...

Novak Djokovic arrives back in Belgrade after deportation from Australia​

So he’ll use his personal jet or drive home to Monaco?

The Private Jet of Novak Djokovic - His Luxurious Life

Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic flies in a luxury private jet that enables him to keep in touch with his super busy schedule through Netjets.

www.essentiallysports.com

 

[SeatBackForward]

Not surprised but his life is looking rather painful right now...

1. Deported from Australia (knock on impacts when visiting other countries)
2. Unable to play in the Australian open
3. Potential sponsor loss
4. Probably unable to play in the French open
5. Constant media attention (realistically a bad thing)

Have I missed anything?

6. Where it's asked - having to answer "Yes" to being denied a visa
7. Possible Investigation for breaking Serbian rules on Isolation after positive test results
8. ATP rule changes may require vaccination
9. Liability as a result of exposure to the French Camera crew
10. Loss of interest in his breakaway Tennis association

 

[SeatBackForward]

This article from 8th December 2021 has aged well:

Tennis Australia denies seeking loopholes for unvaccinated players as Novak Djokovic included in draw​

Australian Open organisers say ‘all players, participants and staff’ must be vaccinated as Djokovic, who has not revealed his vaccination status, is included in tournament draw

Novak Djokovic has been named in the Serbia team for the ATP Cup in Sydney in January. Photograph: David Gray/AFP/Getty Images


Tennis Australia has hit back at suggestions it is seeking to exploit a “loophole” in border entry rules so unvaccinated players can compete in the upcoming Australian Open, as it included Novak Djokovic in the draw for the January grand slam.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Despite all this controversy and what one may think of his personality, he is one of the greatest tennis players we have ever seen.

Novak Djokovic - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Article also mentions France's new laws

Djokovic back in Serbia after Australia deportation over visa row

The tennis star arrives in Belgrade after being deported from Australia over his Covid vaccination status.

www.bbc.com

Novak Djokovic has arrived in Serbia after being deported from Australia.
The top men's tennis player was deported after losing a visa battle that centred on the fact he is unvaccinated.
Supporters gathered at the airport in Belgrade, waving the national flag and chanting "we love Novak".
"This is a shame what they did to Novak in Australia," one supporter said. "This is a shame what the world has come to."
"I myself am vaccinated, double-jabbed, but I think no-one should be forced to do something... he was judged and sentenced for his freedom of choice," he added.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

UK/Wimbledon's current position - also mention new French laws

Wimbledon offers no participation guarantees to Novak Djokovic amid threat of grand slam ban

Novak Djokovic is under threat of a grand slam exile after he was told he would need to be vaccinated to play at the French Open and Wimbledon gave no guarantees he would be allowed to defend his title this summer.

uk.sports.yahoo.com

...
Djokovic can at least look forward to playing Wimbledon in June, as the UK has a bubble arrangement for visiting athletes who have not been vaccinated. Sportspeople in this position are required to quarantine for ten days, but can be released halfway through if they pass a private Covid test. They are also allowed to travel to and from training facilities during this period.

 

[kyle]

I reckon if TA really wanted ND in to play without getting vaxxed, they could have done a better job at securing his safe passage at the higher levels. I don't want to use the word bribery, but there has to be some sort of benefit somewhere.

Post automatically merged: Jan 18, 2022

"I myself am vaccinated, double-jabbed, but I think no-one should be forced to do something... he was judged and sentenced for his freedom of choice," he added.

I share this unpopular sentiment, though I'm triple vaxxed.

 

[MARTINE]

Djokovic sponsor Lacoste wants to 'review' Australia events with tennis star​

Novak Djokovic has departed Australia after authorities canceled his visa for a second time. Now, one of his sponsors wants a word.

Lacoste said Monday that it wants to review events that sparked a nearly two-week legal battle and prevented the unvaccinated Serbian from defending his Australian Open title. Australia requires international visitors to be vaccinated against Covid-19 unless they have a medical exemption.

"As soon as possible, we will be in touch with Novak Djokovic to review the events that have accompanied his presence in Australia," the French clothing brand said in a statement.

...

Djokovic's sponsors have said very little since his visa was first revoked shortly after his arrival in Australia on January 5. It is unclear when Djokovic will take to the court again. He will have the chance to break the men's grand slam title record at the French Open in May but the events in Australia have raised questions about how unvaccinated players will compete on the season's tour.

French automaker Peugeot, another Djokovic sponsor now owned by Stellantis, declined to comment on Monday. Swiss watchmaker Hublot and Japanese sportswear giant Asics (ASCCF) did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Djokovic has endorsement deals worth $30 million a year, according to Forbes, and was the world's 46th highest-paid athlete in 2021.

...

Lacoste was founded in 1933 by 7-time grand slam winner, René Lacoste, and entrepreneur André Gillier. The brand became famous for its lightweight cotton polo shirts bearing the logo of a crocodile — a nickname given to Lacoste during his playing days.

Djokovic sponsor Lacoste wants to 'review' Australia events with tennis star

Novak Djokovic has departed Australia after authorities canceled his visa for a second time. Now, one of his sponsors wants a word.

edition.cnn.com

Lacoste and Peugeot ~both French brands

 

[OATEK]

....

I share this unpopular sentiment, though I'm triple vaxxed.

ND had and still has, complete freedom of choice about whether to be vaccinated. But actions have consequences, even non-actions, and in this case the freedom that was curtailed was to pursue his sporting interest down under.