Merry Christmas - 2022 Slam Predictions

[stotty]

As far as I can see Novak is within the rules, rules set by the government. If Novak is to be slung out, then so must the other five who crept in on the same basis...if rumour is to believed.

America has the same rules for those entering the country ,by the way. No Covid pass needed if you can evidence you have had Covid in the last six months.

It's all a storm in a teacup when you consider Omicron is little more than a common cold, if the science is to be believed.

[stotty]

A suspicion gaining traction is that Novak had Covid within the last six months, which exempts him. Another 5 players are suspected of creeping in under the same exemption.

When I tried to get to America last month, I had to get a PCR 1 day before the departing. The only caveats were medical exemptions or having proof of contracting Covid within the last 6 months. So it is standard practice and permissible in other countries to have had in the recent past Covid as a basis to enter.

The strength of feeling is incredibly high on the matter that I don't think folk can see straight. And the Australian government have started acting like a police state.

I never got to America because the pilot got Covid and my flight couldn't be rebooked...shame.

[arturohernandez]

Just FYI -- Per local TV in AU, Djokovic's lawyers had their first hearing in his appeal of Novak's deportation.
Judge held the case over to Monday, and was dismissive of Tennis Australia's request to "expedite" the trial. Judge: "The tail does not wag the dog."
Local TV:

https://twitter.com/7NewsMelbourne/status/1478995583264178178

I believe the main draw is to be held Monday the 10th.

Judge also admonished Novak's lawyers for not providing documentation to support his case, which they are to provide soon.

No one has confirmed, to my knowledge, that he was granted permission to play at the event despite not being vaccinated because of a prior infection within the last six months, but that is booming the accepted theory, apparently. Some 3-5 other players are rumored to have been admitted to the country and event with similar excuses. Whether the excuse itself is at question, or proof of his excuse is unclear to me.

Novak continues to be confined in a hotel for would be entrants to Australia that are turned back.
His lawyer is apparently some big name that gets $35,000 a day.

So, as the "Happy Slam" progresses, Novak is still not deported and could conceivably emerge from detention as the top seed. Or not.

I haven't seen the oddsmakers book on that event yet <g>.

This is becoming a real circus, isn't i?. My guess is that he will be sent home. Australians are pretty strict with immigration in general and with COVID it is probably more so.

Now he wants to wait in a house that he rented. Mama and Papa Djokovic are calling it political and cruel. A slap against Serbia.

This is very bad PR.

It is also a sign that Djokovic's star may be fading just a bit. The odds of Djokovic staying are 0.

My son likes to paraphrase the senior Roy in Succession as something like the law is people and people can be manipulated. If the judge says, yes, all of Australia will be up in arms. All for a tennis player who tried to skirt the rules. The people have spoken and the law is on their side. No way that he wins.

I would bet $100 that Djokovic will be deported. And I am not a betting man.

[jimlosaltos]

Just FYI -- Per local TV in AU, Djokovic's lawyers had their first hearing in his appeal of Novak's deportation.
Judge held the case over to Monday, and was dismissive of Tennis Australia's request to "expedite" the trial. Judge: "The tail does not wag the dog."
Local TV:

https://twitter.com/7NewsMelbourne/status/1478995583264178178

I believe the main draw is to be held Monday the 10th.

Judge also admonished Novak's lawyers for not providing documentation to support his case, which they are to provide soon.

No one has confirmed, to my knowledge, that he was granted permission to play at the event despite not being vaccinated because of a prior infection within the last six months, but that is booming the accepted theory, apparently. Some 3-5 other players are rumored to have been admitted to the country and event with similar excuses. Whether the excuse itself is at question, or proof of his excuse is unclear to me.

Novak continues to be confined in a hotel for would be entrants to Australia that are turned back.
His lawyer is apparently some big name that gets $35,000 a day.

So, as the "Happy Slam" progresses, Novak is still not deported and could conceivably emerge from detention as the top seed. Or not.

I haven't seen the oddsmakers book on that event yet <g>.

[jimlosaltos]

It appears some unvaccinated players were allowed in.

Yup, at least that is the current online rumor. That theory has it that Tilley tried to sneak 6 players in, but Novak blew their cover by going public with the exemption.

[stroke]

It appears some unvaccinated players were allowed in.

[johnyandell]

Speaking personally I am glad they sent him. home. Well apparently not sent home yet...soon I hope--and anyone else with similar circumstances...

[arturohernandez]

One theory gaining some currency is that Tiley was essentially sneaking players in under the radar. Five other players got similar exemptions because of infection.

BUT then Djokovic went public and blew their cover. Uproar was such that the Victoria govt back off and the PM wasn't going to let his govt take the fall.

So his ego got him in trouble. Had he just stayed quiet, no one might have noticed.

The rules seem to apply until they don't. I am fine with all the top ten players not going. Look what happened at the US Open with the women.

If they are in the top 10, then deny all the visas.

Then we will have a great tournament!

[jimlosaltos]

Thought you might get a kick out of this tweet. https://twitter.com/RFInvests/status...023136770?s=20

Just the messenger here!

here's a combo.

With an Australian Border Patrol like this no Novaxx Djokcovic is going to sneak by !

filedata/fetch?id=96250&d=1641427108&type=thumb

[jimlosaltos]

I had read the caveat back when Djokovic thought he could just fly in and use his stardom to get into the AO.

Australia has very severe restrictions that kept Ash Barty away from home for months. She finally went back for good when it got to be too much.

The whole country made sacrifices during this time. All the other players abided by the rules.

Novak is no exception nor should he be.

His PR team will have to work even harder to salvage his image now.

One theory gaining some currency is that Tiley was essentially sneaking players in under the radar. Five other players got similar exemptions because of infection.

BUT then Djokovic went public and blew their cover. Uproar was such that the Victoria govt back off and the PM wasn't going to let his govt take the fall.

[arturohernandez]

It's official.

Scott Morrison


The prime minister of Australia: "Mr Djokovic’s visa has been cancelled. Rules are rules, especially when it comes to our borders. No one is above these rules. Our strong border policies have been critical to Australia having one of the lowest death rates in the world from COVID, we are continuing to be vigilant."

Local TV there has Djokovic's lawyers are appealing, otherwise he has to board a plane out of Australia by tonight, their time.
~~~~

Separately, I'll repeat what I've read from Au press, Novak's exemption to be allowed to play at the Australian Open was based on him having a Covid infection within the last 6 months, which prevented him from getting vaccinated. BUT that is NOT listed as grounds to be allowed into the country.

I had read the caveat back when Djokovic thought he could just fly in and use his stardom to get into the AO.

Australia has very severe restrictions that kept Ash Barty away from home for months. She finally went back for good when it got to be too much.

The whole country made sacrifices during this time. All the other players abided by the rules.

Novak is no exception nor should he be.

His PR team will have to work even harder to salvage his image now.

[arturohernandez]

It seems after hours of waiting Novak has been denied entry into Australia. His lawyers are quickly trying to reverse the decision but I imagine that will be unlikely.

Thought you might get a kick out of this tweet. https://twitter.com/RFInvests/status...023136770?s=20

Just the messenger here!

[jimlosaltos]

It's official.

Scott Morrison


The prime minister of Australia: "Mr Djokovic’s visa has been cancelled. Rules are rules, especially when it comes to our borders. No one is above these rules. Our strong border policies have been critical to Australia having one of the lowest death rates in the world from COVID, we are continuing to be vigilant."

Local TV there has Djokovic's lawyers are appealing, otherwise he has to board a plane out of Australia by tonight, their time.
~~~~

Separately, I'll repeat what I've read from Au press, Novak's exemption to be allowed to play at the Australian Open was based on him having a Covid infection within the last 6 months, which prevented him from getting vaccinated. BUT that is NOT listed as grounds to be allowed into the country.

[stotty]

It seems after hours of waiting Novak has been denied entry into Australia. His lawyers are quickly trying to reverse the decision but I imagine that will be unlikely.

[jimlosaltos]

New at 1:13 PT Ca. from an Australian Paper:

"World No.1 Novak Djokovic has been told his visa has been rejected and asked to leave Australia later on Thursday {Currently 8:32 AM Thursday in Melbourne). Djokovic’s lawyers are challenging the decision, a source familiar with the situation confirmed to The Age & Sydney Morning Herald"

https://www.theage.com.au/national/visa-bungle-delays-novak-djokovic-s-entry-into-australia-20220105-p59m75.html