COVID-19 and Tennis

[Quickstatus]

I’m not sure they read the situation right

If they stopped making the mistake of SHY and watched a real show like Border Security they might have got more insight.

Oh sorry, it’s Channel 7

Wait, is this whole saga going to be on Border Security?

 

[dajop]

Surely this could have all been sorted this out earlier, well before he even set foot on the plane in Dubai?

The cynic in me makes me wonder if this whole thing was orchestrated (i.e. that he was denied entry once reaching Australia rather than before). It diverts attention from a whole stack of other things, plays well in the media for the (federal) government in an important year for them, given the event that needs to happen by May. Relatively recent history suggests border control and all the media it generates (even if it is just one high profile person) is a nice distraction in the build up that event.

 

[dajop]

Fun fact: He's at the Park Hotel in Carlton right now. That hotel is the rebadged "Rydges on Swanston" of May 2020 fame.

 

[Flashback]

I just asked Google "Where is Novak Djokovic staying"?

Google replied "Server cannot be found"

Also....... the sequel to the earlier posted movie.


Look who is getting involved.

 

[DC3]

Fun fact: He's at the Park Hotel in Carlton right now. That hotel is the rebadged "Rydges on Swanston" of May 2020 fame.

And comes complete with tennis courts.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The cynic in me makes me wonder if this whole thing was orchestrated (i.e. that he was denied entry once reaching Australia rather than before). It diverts attention from a whole stack of other things, plays well in the media for the (federal) government in an important year for them, given the event that needs to happen by May. Relatively recent history suggests border control and all the media it generates (even if it is just one high profile person) is a nice distraction in the build up that event.

If he has any chance to interact with others being detained there it could play out badly for Australia as he has the world stage to make a point and relay their stories.

 

[jakeseven7]

If he has any chance to interact with others being detained there it could play out badly for Australia as he has the world stage to make a point and relay their stories.

Lol as if he would deign to do that.

 

[RooFlyer]

The cynic in me makes me wonder if this whole thing was orchestrated (i.e. that he was denied entry once reaching Australia rather than before). It diverts attention from a whole stack of other things, plays well in the media for the (federal) government in an important year for them, given the event that needs to happen by May. Relatively recent history suggests border control and all the media it generates (even if it is just one high profile person) is a nice distraction in the build up that event.

Not sure if there is a missing, but I'll take it as read. So you are suggesting there is a conspiracy between Djokovic/Tennis Australia and the Federal Government to a) generate publicity for the Australian Open tennis and b) the government, showing it is 'tough on borders'. Hmmmm ...

How does Australia 'deny entry ... before' arrival, rather than at the actual border? We don't run a US-style 'pre-clearance' do we?

 

[Must...Fly!]

Djokovic family rallies support for Serbian star amid protests

Novak Djokovic’s family was on Friday morning rallying support at home in Serbia as the tennis star started his second day in Australian immigration detention.

www.theage.com.au

A modern day Christ. Apparently.

 

[Pushka]

Ever watched Border Force. Visas are offered based on information provided by the applicants but are assessed at the border. If the information is incorrect the applicant is turned around. Happens all the time.

Agree The US can give people hell at the border even with completely valid and honest visas. The warning is always there, we can refuse you at the border because, well, we can. Has any other country come out against Australia right now?

Fun fact: He's at the Park Hotel in Carlton right now. That hotel is the rebadged "Rydges on Swanston" of May 2020 fame.

When the escape happened from that place last year, husband, who had stayed there the year before said it was one of the worst places he'd ever stayed in and told his booking person never to book him in there again.

 

[drron]

Just one point on the medical exemption. It was not approved by ATAGI. In fact the first letter to TA was written by a Commonwealth official on behalf of ATAGI pointing out that ATAGI does not recognise recent infection as an alternative to full vaccination. The medical committee I believe was set up by the Victorian Government and TA.
One of the reports says that the ABF contacted the Victorian Government as to their confirming the Novax had travelled with their approval. They said no.

Now to my main point. This whole storm in a teacup is more proof ,as if we needed more, that we don't follow the science. It has been shown multiple times that natural infection gives a higher antibody response and a far better cellular immunity than vaccination. I agree it is further improved by being vaccinated. The evidence strongly suggests that the response after natural infection lasts longer than that after vaccination.

So why do we not have similiar conditions of entry as the USA and several other countries that recent covid infection is basically equivalent to full vaccination. This of course should apply to everyone not just sports people,actors and rich folk. However medical proof of the recent ionfection must be supplied.

 

[Pushka]

Just one point on the medical exemption. It was not approved by ATAGI. In fact the first letter to TA was written by a Commonwealth official on behalf of ATAGI pointing out that ATAGI does not recognise recent infection as an alternative to full vaccination. The medical committee I believe was set up by the Victorian Government and TA.
One of the reports says that the ABF contacted the Victorian Government as to their confirming the Novax had travelled with their approval. They said no.

Now to my main point. This whole storm in a teacup is more proof ,as if we needed more, that we don't follow the science. It has been shown multiple times that natural infection gives a higher antibody response and a far better cellular immunity than vaccination. I agree it is further improved by being vaccinated. The evidence strongly suggests that the response after natural infection lasts longer than that after vaccination.

So why do we not have similiar conditions of entry as the USA and several other countries that recent covid infection is basically equivalent to full vaccination. This of course should apply to everyone not just sports people,actors and rich folk. However medical proof of the recent ionfection must be supplied.

Well, just maybe they don't trust reports of a positive infection from non Australian approved testing places or overseas medical reports. It does open up a minefield. So it's not about the science but rather the reliability of sources. I think that for instance, chicken pox infection is considered to provide immunity.

 

[prozac]

The cynic in me makes me wonder if this whole thing was orchestrated (i.e. that he was denied entry once reaching Australia rather than before). It diverts attention from a whole stack of other things, plays well in the media for the (federal) government in an important year for them, given the event that needs to happen by May. Relatively recent history suggests border control and all the media it generates (even if it is just one high profile person) is a nice distraction in the build up that event.

Well that doesn't wash. Johnny Depp's other half, Amber Heard, was charged in July 2015 for bringing Pistol and Boo into Australia. The next Federal election wasn't until July 2016.

 

[jakeseven7]

Djokovic family rallies support for Serbian star amid protests

Novak Djokovic’s family was on Friday morning rallying support at home in Serbia as the tennis star started his second day in Australian immigration detention.

www.theage.com.au

A modern day Christ. Apparently.

If that's true its definitely end of the world for us all

 

[33kft]

Has any other country come out against Australia right now?

Oh yes, one in particular certainly has...

'You can't come': PM says Djokovic will be deported, as Serbian President vows to 'fight for Novak'

Scott Morrison says Novak Djokovic is not welcome in Australia and will be deported, after the defending Australian Open champion was detained by Border Force in a stoush over his COVID vaccine status.

www.abc.net.au

On Instagram, Serbia's President Aleksandar Vučić vowed to "fight" for Djokovic to be able to enter Australia, and said he would use all diplomatic avenues available to Serbia to help the player.

"I told our Novak that the whole of Serbia is with him," Mr Vučić wrote.

"Our bodies are doing everything to see that the harassment of the world's best tennis player is brought to an end, immediately."

 

[jakeseven7]

Oh yes, one in particular certainly has...

'You can't come': PM says Djokovic will be deported, as Serbian President vows to 'fight for Novak'

Scott Morrison says Novak Djokovic is not welcome in Australia and will be deported, after the defending Australian Open champion was detained by Border Force in a stoush over his COVID vaccine status.

www.abc.net.au

Damn there goes our trillions of dollars of trade, our bi-lateral security arrangements, our intricate defence partnership

 

[dairyfloss]

Damn there goes our trillions of dollars of trade, our bi-lateral security arrangements, our intricate defence partnership

Don’t underestimate the potential impact to Harris Farm’s pricing for stock on the shelves under the fruit displays; it could be huge!

 

[Pushka]

Oh yes, one in particular certainly has...

'You can't come': PM says Djokovic will be deported, as Serbian President vows to 'fight for Novak'

Scott Morrison says Novak Djokovic is not welcome in Australia and will be deported, after the defending Australian Open champion was detained by Border Force in a stoush over his COVID vaccine status.

www.abc.net.au

Of course. I should have been more specific with 'other'. I meant, one that actually counts although there is a WW history with that country. Given the number of countries now mandating vaccination it's going to be a quiet year for the non vaxxer players.

Naughty Australia for trying to bring Serbia down.

 

[prozac]

Just one point on the medical exemption. It was not approved by ATAGI. In fact the first letter to TA was written by a Commonwealth official on behalf of ATAGI pointing out that ATAGI does not recognise recent infection as an alternative to full vaccination. The medical committee I believe was set up by the Victorian Government and TA.
One of the reports says that the ABF contacted the Victorian Government as to their confirming the Novax had travelled with their approval. They said no.

Now to my main point. This whole storm in a teacup is more proof ,as if we needed more, that we don't follow the science. It has been shown multiple times that natural infection gives a higher antibody response and a far better cellular immunity than vaccination. I agree it is further improved by being vaccinated. The evidence strongly suggests that the response after natural infection lasts longer than that after vaccination.

So why do we not have similiar conditions of entry as the USA and several other countries that recent covid infection is basically equivalent to full vaccination. This of course should apply to everyone not just sports people,actors and rich folk. However medical proof of the recent ionfection must be supplied.

drron, but has he had a recent covid infection at all?
He has played so many games at so many tournaments in 2021 it would appear he hardly had time for covid.

Tennis Player Rankings by WP Scale 0-10: 9

Player N. Djokovic has in 2021 joined 13 International Tennis Tournaments and played 62 Games.

N. Djokovic played in 2021 a total of 36 in a Final Games and -29 in Semi Finals Games.

N. Djokovic won in 2021 a total of 33 Tournaments.

 

[dajop]

Not sure if there is a missing, but I'll take it as read. So you are suggesting there is a conspiracy between Djokovic/Tennis Australia and the Federal Government to a) generate publicity for the Australian Open tennis and b) the government, showing it is 'tough on borders'. Hmmmm ...

How does Australia 'deny entry ... before' arrival, rather than at the actual border? We don't run a US-style 'pre-clearance' do we?

Yes definitely a missing. And not suggesting collusion between Djokovic/TA and the government, but I wouldn't put it past one of the bevvy of political advisors to have had a thought bubble that said "let's wait until he arrives and then see which way the wind is blowing", and if it looks bad we'll blame Vic and put our foot down .... but maybe I've watched one too many episodes of {pick a TV show .. Yes Prime Minister, Utopia, Frontline ....):

And for those worrying about "Australia looking bad", this is so trivial in the context of everything else .... and in any event in an election year in Australia or indeed in most democracies, irrespective of political affiliation, domestic optics usually trumps international reputation (with limits of course).