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USA Today via Reuters

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USA Today via Reuters

Novak Djokovic’s visa cancelation saga has taken the tennis world by storm. Celebrities across the globe are coming up with their views on the case. Moreover, people are taking to social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram to express their opinions on this episode.

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Rennae Stubbs, the Australian tennis coach, and a former professional player, is the latest icon to speak about this incident.

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Rennae Stubbs takes a dig at World Number 1

A former World Number 1 in women’s doubles category, Rennae Stubbs took to Twitter and said, “Wait, SO Novak is now admitting that he knowingly decided to do an interview with someone because he didn’t want to let the journalist down? but yet had NO PROBLEM being Covid positive around the guy and also didn’t tell him!!??? OMG this is getting worse by the minute!”

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WATCH THIS STORY: Novak Djokovic’s Biggest Controversies  

What has been the fuss surrounding the Serbian star?

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The 20-time Grand Slam champion arrived in Australia after having been granted a Covid-19 vaccine exemption. However, the World Number 1’s visa was canceled, and he was subsequently detained upon his arrival in Australia.

According to the country’s immigration rules, any non-Australians entering the country must be vaccinated against Covid-19. Djokovic told immigration officials that he has been affected with Covid-19 twice, the latest being December 16, 2021.

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Reuters

However, pictures surfaced wherein he was seen mask-less with kids on December 17, 2021, a day after he tested positive for Covid-19. This caused a huge uproar amongst the Australians, given the fact that they have lived through months and months of harsh lockdowns.

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Djokovic and his team appealed the visa cancelation in Australian Federal Courts. Subsequently, judge Anthony Kelly ruled in favor of the Serb and ordered his release from detention. However, the final decision on his visa lies in the hands of the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Alex Hawke. The minister holds the power to personally intervene and cancel Djokovic’s visa. If his visa is canceled by Alex Hawke, Djokovic won’t be able to enter Australia for three years.

Until the decision comes out, the Serb will have to play the waiting game. Will Novak Djokovic get a shot at defending his Australian Open crown starting next week? Do let us know your views in the comments below.

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Written by

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Vatsal Shah

3,705 Articles

Vatsal Shah is a tennis journalist at EssentiallySports, covering ATP and WTA storylines from the ES Trends Desk since 2023. He delivers breaking insights on major tournaments and player arcs, decoding tactical shifts and viral moments into accessible takeaways for fans worldwide. His coverage of Taylor Townsend’s Dubai title win stood out for capturing both the emotional significance of her victory and the context of her comeback.

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