dailymail.co.uk <https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10380939/Australian-Open-2022-Tennis-Australia-boss-Craig-Tiley-praises-staff-Novak-Djokovic-debacle.html>
Australian Open 2022: Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley praises staff over Novak Djokovic debacle Andrew Prentice 8-10 minutes _____ Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley has finally broken his silence over the Novak Djokovic <https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/novak_djokovic/index.html> visa debacle, claiming his staff have done an 'unbelievable job' despite the governing body coming under fire for giving the unvaxxed star wrong health advice. Tiley also called out numerous instances of 'finger pointing' that have followed in the ugly saga the past few days - while Serbian superstar and anti-vaxxer Djokovic remains stranded in immigration <https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/immigration/index.html> detention in Melbourne <https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/melbourne/index.html> , a far cry from his usual luxurious lifestyle. In a leaked video, Tiley acknowledged TA staff's professionalism and diligence in what he firmly believes has been a thorough job in the lead up to the annual grand slam tournament. 'There's a lot of finger pointing going on and a lot of blaming going on, but I can assure you our team has done an unbelievable job and have done everything they possibly could according to all the instructions that they have been provided,' he said in the clip. 'We empathise with the situation we currently have. We are a player first event...we are working closely with Novak and his team.' Leaked video of Tennis Australia boss addressing Djokovic saga Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley informed the nation's advisory body on immunisation in November last year the viability of the tournament hinged on 'allowing' overseas players to compete in Melbourne who were not double-vaccinated World number one Novak Djokovic still doesn't know if he will compete in the Australian Open after his visa was denied in Melbourne on Thursday The development comes as months out from the Australian Open, Tiley informed the nation's advisory body on immunisation the viability of the tournament hinged on 'allowing' overseas players to compete in Melbourne who were not double-vaccinated. Mr Tiley wrote to the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) in November, questioning whether tennis stars who were either recently infected with Covid-19 or only had one vaccine dose would be granted exemptions from immigration rules on medical grounds. 'The treatment of players who fall within one of these categories goes to the heart of the viability of the Australian Open,' Tiley told ATAGI. World number one Novak Djokovic, was one of the players seeking an exemption to play at Melbourne Park. The 34-year-old has refused to reveal his vaccination status and said to be sceptical of the global virus that has claimed millions of lives. Melbourne hotel where Djokovic is being held over Covid exemption Earlier this week, Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley confirmed world number one Novak Djokovic (pictured) will play at the Australian Open in Melbourne this month Novak Djokovic supporters dance the night away outside his hotel Health Minister Greg Hunt as well as a Health Department representative responded to Mr Tiley's request, stating exemptions would not be granted to players who were single-vaxxed or had recently contracted Covid. Earlier reports this week suggested Mr Tiley did not pass on that information. Djokovic has been holed up in a hotel in Melbourne's inner-city since arriving late on Wednesday night. After at least six hours of heated discussions with border force officials, the Serbian star's visa was cancelled, with the 20-time grand slam winner to now fight the decision in court from Monday. Djokovic was deemed to have not met outlined Australian government visa requirements to enter the country after flying in from Dubai. Tiley was also informed by Department of Health First Assistant Secretary Lisa Schofield on November 18 last year that individuals who have 'previously had Covid-19 and not received a vaccine dose are not considered fully vaccinated'. And as a result would 'not be approved for quarantine-free entry, regardless of whether they have received foreign vaccination exemptions'. Tennis Australia on Friday also strongly rejected reports they 'knowingly misled' players in regards to medical exemptions being approved. In the Federal Circuit Court on Monday, Djokovic's team of lawyers will argue the tennis superstar he should be allowed into Australia - despite failing to meet the requirement for arrivals to be fully vaccinated. Legal sources believe Djokovic's quest to see his deportation is strong based on administrative and migration law. Djokovic took to Instagram on Friday night, thanking fans for their ongoing support. 'Thank you to people around the world for your continuous support. I can feel it and it is greatly appreciated,' he wrote. Novak Djokovic (with wife Jelena) is holed up in a Melbourne inner-city hotel after his visa was cancelled on Thursday On Tuesday, Novak Djokovic announced to the world he was on his way to Australia after being granted an exemption (pictured, the photo he used to accompany his social media announcement) Novak's father Srdjan has told local journalists in Serbia his son is being 'held captive' Two separate panels granted Djokovic an exemption to play at the Open - only to see it overturned by the federal government. In his native Serbia where he is adored, Djokovic's supporters have been scathing of Australia. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, <https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/tennis/300492258/tennis-australia-pleaded-for-vaccine-exemptions-as-novak-djokovic-saga-continues> the Serbian foreign secretary hauled in Australia's ambassador to the Balkan country to demand Djokovic be moved to a better hotel while stuck in immigration detention. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic also confirmed a number of calls between government officials, including Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews and Serbian Premier Ana Brnabic, had taken place in recent days. Djokovic's father Srdjan Djokovic has been blunt in his assessment of the situation, declaring to local reporters his son was being 'held captive.' Polarising Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios, who previously has stated he 'isn't a fan' of Djokovic for a host of reasons, believes the situation involving the world number one has been handled woefully. 'Look I definitely believe in taking action, I got vaccinated because of others and for my mum's health,' Kyrgios said. 'But how we are handling Novak's situation is bad, really bad.' The Serbian tennis star (pictured on Melbourne's Brighton Beach in 2021) has repeatedly refused to confirm if he is vaccinated or not WHY WAS DJOKOVIC INITIALLY DEEMED TO BE EXEMPT? Australia's Department of Health says medical exemptions are handed out if the individual has an 'acute major medical condition'. Under the guidelines, these conditions could include: - Inflammatory cardiac illness in the last three months - Undergoing major surgery or hospital admission for a serious illness - A Covid-19 diagnosis that means vaccination cannot be made for six months - Any serious effect to a Covid-19 vaccine in the past (Note: Djokovic has not confirmed whether or not he has been jabbed) - If the vaccine is a risk to themselves or others during the vaccination process - Underlying developmental or mental health disorders Victoria's Deputy Premier James Merlino said last month that medical exemptions are 'not a loophole'. 'Medical exemptions are just that,' he said. 'It's not a loophole for privileged tennis players. 'They are medical exemptions in exceptional circumstances - if you have acute medical conditions.' -- http:www.antic.org --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "SERBIAN NEWS NETWORK" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/senet/04ad01d80472%244f62fda0%24ee28f8e0%24%40gmail.com.
