C19 and Tennis

[dmforever]

I'm playing the devil's advocate here. Can Novax argue that he did test postive for Covid on Dec 16 but how responsible he was after that is not part of the decision making process?

Kevin

I think Novax will argue anything that he thinks we get him what he wants.

I agree.

Kevin

[ponchi101]

I'll go one up on you. I believe he will LIE about anything if he thinks it will get him into the tournament. For some reason, I just can't believe he did not produce a fake C19 vaccination certificate.

[Suliso]

I have a feeling Djokovic will prevail in his lawsuit. He has top class lawyers and no doubt government messed up some formality.

[ponchi101]

I don't know if GOVT messed up, in which case your point is valid, or Tennis Australia/Victoria government messed up, in which case the federal govt can say "not our fault".
But by now, and after all these delays and stuff, sure, I can see him playing. Some people do get breaks.

[Owendonovan]

The government asked for an extension until Wednesday but was denied. That would seem to favor Novax.

[MJ2004]

Today's hearing will be available for public viewing here (10am Melbourne time): https://fcfcoa.gov.au/gfl/courtlists/vic/melbourne

I won't be watching since my head is likely to explode when Djokovic wins.

[JazzNU]

The government asked for an extension until Wednesday but was denied. That would seem to favor Novax.

The only thing it means is that the judge is taking the word of Tennis Australia that they need a decision by Tuesday for their tournament scheduling.

[ponchi101]

...

I won't be watching since my head is likely to explode when Djokovic wins.

Indeed. It will be sad.

[Deuce]

I don't see Djokovic winning this because the 'X factor' is the feeling of the Australian people.
The court knows full well that the Australian people don't want Djokovic in their country - and that if he is permitted into the country, and plays the Aussie Open, there could be mass protests.
And so I think they'll rule that Djokovic is out.

[meganfernandez]

Djokovic's lawyers are arguing that the law does not require Djokovic to provide evidence of meeting the vaccine or contraindication requirement - that he can just provide his word. !!!!!!

From Herald-Sun just now:

Djokovic’s lawyers are now arguing that the biosecurity rules for entry to Australia didn’t actually require the Serbian to provide evidence of his medical contraindication to vaccination.

Nick Wood SC says Djokovic only had to make a declaration of whether he was vaccinated against Covid, unvaccinated or had a medical contraindication. If the latter - which he did - he said rules state that the travelled “can provide evidence”, not that they must.

“That declaration was made that he had a medical contraindication,” Wood said.

“He was not required to provide evidence, even though as a matter of fact, he did.”

[dryrunguy]

This has probably been mentioned before, and I apologize if I am duplicating someone else's post, but...

Poetic justice would dictate that Rafa should win his 21st major in Melbourne in a few weeks. I would say the same for Roger if he were able to compete.

[ponchi101]

Poetic justice would have been Novax coming down with C19, and having some, at least, uncomfortable symptoms so his sorry ass would learn the truth the hard way.

[meganfernandez]

my god if this is true...

[ponchi101]

Ok, that is a very grave accusation to just float it out there in social media. If that is true, I gather we are no longer talking deportation, we are talking at least a misdemeanor?

[meganfernandez]

Ok, that is a very grave accusation to just float it out there in social media. If that is true, I gather we are no longer talking deportation, we are talking at least a misdemeanor?

Update: Rennae Stubbs said no way, he wasn't there.

Judge just ordered Aussie officials to bring Djokovic to his lawyers or somewhere else where he can watch the hearing (a place that doesn't require vaccination, I guess). So maybe judge earlier approved a release for him to play at Melbourne Park, which seems egregious to me, but what do I know.

Djokovic will get to leave detention to observe the hearing every day that it takes place. So far - and it's very early - the judge sounds pro-Djokovic.