Thread by @BarstoolGlobal

@BarstoolHubbs asks:

1. If the independent panels approved him, then what happened today at he border?
2. How does someone on his team mess this up so badly?
3. Why was he detained for 8+ hours in isolation?

Before answering this, let's find out how we got here.

https://twitter.com/barstoolsports/status/1478844624789815298

First, what is a visa? Think of it as a key to open the door to a given country.

In Australia, the Ministry of Home Affairs manages visas through the @AusBorderForce. Applicants from every country are welcome to apply for a variety of reasons, including sports.

Djokovic was reportedly held because he had "the wrong visa" (which was ultimately cancelled). Home Affairs' Web site is confusing. Djokovic probably qualifies for a sporting visa, but it's not a perfect match for what he's doing at the @AustralianOpen:

immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-…

Per @IATA, an airline is responsible for ensuring each traveler has the required travel documents or face hefty fines from a country's immigration department.

As you can imagine, COVID-19 restrictions have made this a very challenging task.

iata.org/en/publication…

Before boarding his flight, Djokovic stated that he had been granted a medical exemption to play in the #AusOpen.

https://twitter.com/DjokerNole/status/1478319120626196482?s=20

@TennisAustralia maintained that Djokovic's case met standards set by the Aus. Technical Advisory Group on Immunization and upheld by a 2nd panel of medical experts:

1. Inflamed cardiac illness or acute condition
2. Serious mental health condition
3. Serious reaction to 1st dose

A fourth criteria exists: If Djokovic tested positive in the last 6 months, he could defer his vaccination.

In June 2020, he tested positive following "a series of exhibition matches he organized in Serbia and Croatia with zero social distancing"

espn.com/tennis/story/_…

We don't know the criteria Djokovic supposedly met, and there was some consternation among his fellow competitors, and among Aussies.

Of 3,500 players and personnel tied to the #AusOpen, 26 applied for exemptions and only "a handful" were approved.

https://twitter.com/TajHope/status/1478315285752922114?s=20

There is no evidence that the process was manipulated - @TennisAustralia has been adamant about this - but the decision immediately drew the attention of Australians.

Melbourne has faced more lockdown days (262) than any other major city in the world.

nytimes.com/2021/10/22/wor…

It should be noted that Russian tennis star Natalia Vikhlyantseva announced in December she would skip the #AusOpen because the Sputnik vaccine is not recognized in Australia.

tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/WT…

During the 8-hour flight from Dubai to Melbourne, public opinion took center stage, with Prime Minister @ScottMorrisonMP first punting on this as a state level decision for Victoria before announcing @DjokerNole's visa was cancelled.

https://twitter.com/GrogsGamut/status/1478851904402649088?s=20

There is a lack of clarity regarding the processing ("detainment") @DjokerNole faced on arrival. He was apparently held for 7 hours without his phone, which @AusBorderForce denies.

https://twitter.com/BenRothenberg/status/1478845698481156096?s=20

"Not the most usual trip down under" - Djokovic coach Goran Ivanisevic on instagram.

instagram.com/p/CYW3ffmsQJZ/

The Diplomatic fallout commenced:

Serbian President Vucic said, "the whole of Serbia is with him and that our bodies are doing everything to see that the harassment of the world's best tennis player is brought to an end immediately."

reuters.com/lifestyle/spor…

President @avucic has also reportedly spoken with Djokovic (implying the player did have some access to his phone).

Vucic has also reportedly summoned Daniel Emery, Australia's Ambassador to Serbia, to discuss the matter.

reuters.com/lifestyle/spor…

"Summoning" an Ambassador sounds serious, but it is effectively theater - a means for one party to send a public message about their grave concerns.

Here's a fun article which provides insight into the maneuver:

bbc.com/news/world-489…

Some background on bilateral ties:

Aus. has had relations w/ the former Yugoslavia since 1966 which transferred to Serbia in '06. Business presence and investment focuses on mining & ICT.

In 2018 (before COVID), 2,900 Serbians visited Australia.

dfat.gov.au/geo/serbia/ser…

Today's events highlight how public sentiment differs among countries beyond trade or security.

By addressing this issue publicly, Vucic highlights the tremendous national pride Serbians take in Djokovic. Meanwhile, Australians have taken great pains to minimize COVID deaths.

As we write this, Djokovic is awaiting a flight out of the country. It is important to note that he was not "deported" as he never officially entered the country.

He was refused entry (at the port) as his visa was cancelled.

cnn.com/2022/01/05/ten…

When #SportsDiplomacy meets #MusicDiplomacy:

https://twitter.com/sunriseon7/status/1478851696960831489?s=20

Worth noting that last year, @DjokerNole donated $25K to aid Australian communities destroyed by wildfires:

https://twitter.com/DjokerNole/status/1213993841373646848