Djokovic Covid-jab exemption sparks backlash in Australia
The HinduAustralians reacted with fury on Wednesday after World No. Tournament chief Craig Tiley said that the defending champion had been given “no special favour” but urged the Serb to reveal why he got the exemption to soothe public anger. The nine-time Australian Open champion announced late on Tuesday he was en route to Melbourne with “an exemption permission,” ending the drawn-out saga over whether he would defend his title. Australian Prime Minster Scott Morrison said that if the reasons for Djokovic's exemption were “insufficient” then the Serb would be “on the next plane home.” “We await his presentation and what evidence he provides us to support,” Morrison told a press conference. Other residents of the Victoria State city were more sympathetic, with Morteza Yari saying: “I think as long as the exemption is valid and they have valid reasons I don't see a problem with that.” Among the conditions allowing entry without a vaccine is if a person has had Covid-19 in the past six months.