Australia is a Sovereign State Djokovic

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Fred Perry from Britain, 1934 Australian Open winner. Online pic. 

The Australian Open is not just a tennis tournament. It is one of the four grand slams all players hope to win, but few get there. Fred Perry from Britain won it in 1934. He also had eight other grand slams under his belt.

It is an ‘open’ tournament because visitors come from different countries. Australia is the host. Underline visitors, because Australia is a sovereign state and as such, it can accept or reject them. Health is one of the major reasons for rejecting certain visitors, players in the case of the Australian Open.

All countries are concerned about the health of their citizens.  That is why visa application forms always ask you if you have had such and such illnesses. Standard question. 

Enter COVID-19. Like all countries, Australia has tightened screws on health requirements. The most important is vaccination. Visitors must be fully vaccinated to enter the country to visit the incredible beaches or take part in the Australian Open.

Novak Djokovic from Serbia has won it nine times. He wants to defend his Men’s Singles’ title by playing in the 2022 Australian Open, but he doesn’t want any prick on his arm. He’s on record that he doesn’t believe that he should be vaccinated in order to travel.

Australia is a sovereign country and has the prerogative to lay down entry rules. That is why no man, including Djokovic can force it to bend critical health rules, during a pandemic.

By: Nonqaba waka Msimang.

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