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Australian Open Boss Breaks Silence on Novak Djokovic Visa Fiasco
The messy situation revolving around Novak Djokovic is all that anyone in the tennis fraternity can talk about. In fact, even Australian politicians have become vocally involved in the issue.
Moreover, most of the world’s fans have divided the blame equally. Some believe that it is the Serbian’s fault for even seeking an exemption from the medical rules. On the other hand, many consider Tennis Australia or the Victorian government at fault for approving the visa in the first place.
Now, border forces have been threatening to deport the reigning Australian Open champion, and also cancel his visa.
Australian Open Boss praises his team amidst Novak Djokovic mess
In a video leaked to the Sunday Herald Sun, Craig Tiley, the CEO of Tennis Australia, has spoken about the visa crisis surrounding Djokovic.
Tennis – ATP Masters 1000 – Paris Masters – Accor Arena, Paris, France – November 7, 2021. Serbia’s Novak Djokovic reacts during his final match against Russia’s Daniil Medvedev. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
“There is a lot of finger-pointing going on, and a lot of blaming,” the Australian Open boss said in the video. However, he maintains his position of having handled this situation well, along with his team.
#BREAKING Tennis Australia chief boasts of ‘unbelievable job’ after Djokovic drama: leaked video pic.twitter.com/dAanPFrehW
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) January 8, 2022
“I can assure you our team has done an unbelievable job,” Craig Tiley stated. Clearly, Tiley believes that there is no wrongdoing involved on the part of Tennis Australia. Thus, it can be assumed that Tiley believes the Serbian’s problems to be his own.
Moreover, these aren’t Tiley’s first words about Novak Djokovic vis-à-vis the Australian Open, either. Earlier, the tournament boss had stated that time was running out for the Serbian, and it was getting unlikelier for him to be able to play in the Grand Slam.
Fans unhappy with Tiley’s statement
After news broke out about Tiley’s statement about the situation, many fans on Twitter were quick to disagree.
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic reacts during his final match against Russia’s Daniil Medvedev. Credits: Reuters
One Twitter user called Tennis Australia the wrong party here, simply by way of trying to bring in an unvaccinated player into the country just to play the tournament.
Similarly, another user believes after the horrible mismanagement of this case, Tiley should prepare for resignation, and keep his ‘out of office’ reply ready.
#UPDATE “There is 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,” Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley says after Novak Djokovic visa crisis, in video leaked to Sunday Herald Sun pic.twitter.com/StFV6vanzB
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) January 8, 2022
Another fan had a lighter, albeit ironic take on the situation. Making a play on Tiley’s own words, they agreed that the situation was, indeed, truly ‘unbelievable’.
Let us know in the comments below where you think the entire situation went wrong. Is any party completely in the right, or is the entire situation murky and grey?
WATCH THIS STORY: From US Open Disqualification to No Entry at Australian Open: Novak Djokovic’s Biggest Controversies
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