‘Djokovic should never have come’ – Jim Courier direct on debacle

It would have been better for all involved in the Novak Djokovic fiasco had he never arrived in Australia in the first place according to two-time Australian Open champion Jim Courier.

Djokovic declared that he had a medical exemption to play the Australian Open on 4th January as he looked to claim a 10th title there.

The nearly two weeks following were a storm of misinformation, confusion, deception and false promises as all parties involved dropped the ball on multiple occasions.

Djokovic was eventually deported after his second visa appeal was rejected and the decision made by Immigration Minister Alex Hawke was upheld by a panel of judges.

Now, four-time Major winner Courier has given his two cents on the mess of the entire situation.

“I think there’s still cards to fall, as to finding out a little bit more,” Courier said on Australia’s Channel Nine coverage of the Australian Open.

“[We still don’t know exactly] the details of which part of the government knew what.

“And how in the heck is he in the airport in Dubai and they approve his paperwork? I was in the airport in [Los Angeles with] stacks of paper [inches thick] to get in, and I’m fully vaccinated.

“There’s obviously been some errors made here but ultimately, everyone that’s involved in this has lost, everyone.

“It would have been so much better if Djokovic had never come here for him, for sure, for tennis and for the government, frankly. It’s just not been a pretty story.”

Only time will tell whether Djokovic will be allowed to compete at the three remaining Slams of 2022 after competition concludes in Melbourne.

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