'Political agenda' PTPA co-founder accuses Aussie Gov of using Djokovic

January 16, 2022

ATP Tennis Players, Australian Open, Novak Djokovic, Tennis News

‘There was a political agenda’ – PTPA co-founder accuses Australian Government of using Novak Djokovic for electioneering

Vasek Pospisil has accused the Australian Government of using the Novak Djokovic controversy to electioneer their election hopes and claims “this is not his fault, he did not force his way into the country.”

World number one and 20-time Grand Slam titlist Djokovic will not compete at the Australian Open after the decision to revoke his visa for a second time was upheld by the court.

Djokovic travelled Down Under after being granted a medical exemption as he is unvaccinated against Covid-19. Although Djokovic faced disruption upon his arrival and had his medical exemption voided and his visa cancelled.

Whilst this decision was overturned in court and Djokovic looked set to compete for a 21st Slam title, Immigration Minister Alex Hawke superseded the court and cancelled Djokovic’s visa once again.

This time the decision was upheld by the courts and Djokovic will be deported just one day before the ‘Happy Slam’ begins.

Pospisil and Djokovic founded the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) together in efforts to better represent singles players in the top 500 and doubles players in the top 200 of the ATP Rankings and WTA Rankings.

Canadian Pospisil previously slammed the ATP for “lacking leadership” after remaining silent on the situation, although they promptly issued a statement after Pospisil’s criticism.

Published through Twitter, Pospisil said “Novak would never have gone to Australia if he had not been given an exemption to enter the country by the government (which he did receive; hence Judge Kelly’s initial ruling).

“He would have skipped the Australian Open and been home with his family and no one would be talking about this mess.

“There was a political agenda at play here with the elections coming up which couldn’t be more obvious.

“This is not his fault. He did not force his way into the country and did not ‘make his own rules’; he was ready to stay home.”

Pospisil also urged people not to forget about Renata Voracova, the Czech doubles player who had been deported after Djokovic’s arrival and revealed that the PTPA had been in contact with her.

Novak would never have gone to Australia if he had not been given an exemption to enter the country by the government (which he did receive; hence Judge Kelly’s initial ruling). He would have skipped the Australian Open and been home with his family and no one would be.. [1/2]

— Vasek Pospisil (@VasekPospisil) January 16, 2022