Australia vowed to deport tennis world number one Novak Djokovic on Thursday after he failed to meet stringent pandemic entry requirements, as Omicron’s relentless march forced organizers to cancel the Grammys and Sundance Film Festival.
The vaccine-skeptic Serb failed to provide evidence of double vaccination or a medical exemption when he landed to defend his Australian Open crown, prompting authorities to cancel his visa and hold him at the airport overnight.
“Rules are rules and there are no special cases,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.
Djokovic said he had received a medical exemption to play in the Australian Open before departing for Melbourne, sparking fury among Australians who have endured harsh restrictions since the heavily mutated Omicron variant entered the country.
Tennis’ first grand slam of the year is the latest sporting event to struggle with health measures, with next month’s Beijing Olympics also impacted by small outbreaks across China that have seen stay-at-home restrictions imposed on millions of people.
