"It is good publicity for the tournament, I wouldn't mind seeing reception he receives if he does play" - Cameron Norrie on Novak Djokovic's visa saga
Several players on the men's and women's circuit have grown tired of Novak Djokovic's visa saga dominating headlines in the lead-up to the Australian Open. But Cameron Norrie feels the commotion is good publicity for the Melbourne Slam. The Brit said he was looking forward to seeing how the crowd will react to the World No. 1 if he is cleared to play at Melbourne Park.
Djokovic took to social media on January 4 to announce that he had been granted a medical exemption to participate at the Australian Open despite not being vaccinated. The 34-year-old was detained by immigration authorities and had his visa canceled, following which he appealed the decision in court.
The visa cancelation was quashed by the Family Court in Australia, but the Immigration Minster used his "personal powers" to cancel the Serb's visa for the second time earlier this week. This led to Djokovic appealing the decision in court once again, with a hearing scheduled to take place on Sunday.
All the events have been religiously covered by media all over the world, which Norrie feels is a good thing. During an appearance on the Tennis Talk podcast, the World No. 12 stated (at the 12-minute mark) that he personally wanted the 20-time Grand Slam champion to be at the Australian Open for two reasons.
@chahuahua chats to @atptour world number 12 @cam_norrie in the latest Tennis Talk podcast ahead of the @AustralianOpen. Cam discusses his incredible 2021 season,desire to be number one and his thoughts on the Djokovic saga podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/ten…
The 26-year-old said it was important that the best players in the world are part of one of the biggest tournaments on the tennis calendar. Norrie added, with a chuckle, that he wished to see the public's reaction to Djokovic if he was cleared to compete.
"It's obviously good publicity for the tournament. [The news] has been followed by everyone here and around the world," Norrie said. "It is not up to me but I would like to see Novak Djokovic play. I want the best players in the world to be playing in the draw. I also wouldn't mind seeing the reception he receives if he does play."
"Novak Djokovic knew all the risks going in, but his feel for the situation was questionable" - Cameron Norrie
Cameron Norrie said the blame for the visa fiasco lay more with Novak Djokovic than with the Australian government. Norrie reckons the World No. 1 knew what the risks were when he arrived in Melbourne with an exemption since the authorities were very clear with what they required from participating athletes.
"It's a tricky situation," Norrie said. "Novak Djokovic knew all the risks going in, especially since the government had all the rules laid down and they were pretty clear with everything."
Novak Djokovic is fast becoming a pariah. Anti-vax, reckless, deceptive - his selfish disregard for others endangers public health.
Life lessons have not been learned.
Get out of Australia. You’re not wanted here.
#AusOpen #DjokovicOut #NoVaxDjoCovid
https://t.co/xVpvyWG6wY
Moreover, Norrie criticized the way in which the Serb has handled the situation. The Brit feels Djokovic should not have expected to arrive in Australia and play as an unvaccinated player considering the stringent lockdown measures citizens have had to put up with.
"His feel for the situation was questionable," Norrie said. "With people in Victoria and Australia not being able to see their families, coming here and just expecting to play in the fashion that he did was not the best."
Also check out: Complete 2022 Australian Open Schedule of Play