|
The move effectively ends his bid for a record 21st Grand Slam
title at the Jan. 17-30 Australian Open.
AUSTRALIAN PM SCOTT MORRISON
"I note the Minister for Immigration's decision in relation to
Mr Novak Djokovic's visa.
"I understand that following careful consideration, action has
been taken by the Minister to cancel Mr Djokovic's visa held on
health and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the
public interest to do so.
"This pandemic has been incredibly difficult for every
Australian but we have stuck together and saved lives and
livelihoods."
FORMER AUSTRALIAN PM KEVIN RUDD
"What a surprise! Morrison's govt cancels Djokovic's visa to win
the weekend media cycle -- showing us all how hairy chested he
is. Why on earth did they issue the visa in the first place? One
big political distraction from empty shelves & the national
shortage of boosters & RATs."
THREE-TIMES GRAND SLAM CHAMPION ANDY MURRAY
"It's unfortunate that it's ended up in this sort of situation,
and who knows? I don't know what route he goes down, if he can
appeal that and, you know, how long that takes, and can he still
be out practicing whilst that process is going on or still
competing in the tournament?
"Just want it to get resolved. I think it would be good for
everyone if that was the case. It just seems like it's dragged
on for quite a long time now, and yeah, not great for the
tennis, not great for the Australian Open, not great for Novak."
OPPOSITION LABOUR LEADER ANTHONY ALBANESE
"(Scott Morrison) has been using this Novak Djokovic saga as a
distraction from the shortages in our supermarkets, the
shortages in our chemists, the shortages of workers, the
uncertainty that people have had over kids' boosters and the
return to school and all the rest of it.
"But what we have from a government is day after day after day
not making a decision where it is now almost 60 days since his
visa was granted."
SEVEN-TIMES GRAND SLAM CHAMPION JUSTINE HENIN
"I think it's the best thing he doesn't play at the moment.
"When something is so complicated, I don't say that Djokovic
doesn't have to fight, because he thought it was the right thing
to do, but I think now it's been proved that so many Australian
people don't want him to play.
"So maybe it's better for everyone, for tennis, for the
tournament, and maybe for him, that he doesn't play the
tournament."
DARREN CAHILL, COACH AND FORMER PLAYER
"Fault lies everywhere here. It's been a mess. Novak, TA, Vic
Gov, Federal Gov. It should've been a hard rule entering this
country considering what the folks have been thru. Get
vaccinated and come play the AO, or if not maybe see you in 23'.
No wiggle room."
FORMER SERBIAN TENNIS PLAYER JANKO TIPSAREVIC
"Toxic Shame on each and everyone involved in this process..."
LOU RICCIARDI, FAN AT MELBOURNE PARK TOLD REUTERS
"I do agree with what the government has done. Rules are rules.
If you break the rules there are a lot of consequences.
"It's unfortunate for the Open but ... the Open is bigger than
just one man. The other players have got to just put up with
what's happened and hope there's no distractions.
"I feel the government did the right thing to keep us healthy
and safe."
(Compiled by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Toby Chopra,
William Maclean, Catherine Evans)
[© 2022 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |
|
