Former Australian Cricketer Shane Warne says he is ‘embarrassed’ with the whole situation surrounding Tennis star Novak Djokovic. Warne's reaction comes after the Serbian star won his legal appeal on procedural grounds on Monday (January 10), quashing the border officer's initial decision to cancel his visa for the Australian Open.
Warne on Tuesday (January 11) wrote on Twitter that he would like answers to some simple questions like whether the Serbian Tennis star attended public events despite a Covid-19 infection and who exactly gave him the medical exemption.
Warne tweeted: "Are these facts true? As I've read so many different reports in this messy embarrassing saga. Novak tested positive to Covid-19 Dec (December) 16 & attended a public event on the 17th that inc (included) children. Said he hadn't travelled in 14 days before arriving in Oz (Australia) but travelled Jan (January) 2 to Spain?"
Warne, born in Victoria, represented Australia in 145 Tests and went on to become one of the most successful spinners picking708 wickets, second only to Muttiah Muralitharan's 800 scalps. The 52-year-old wants to know who cleared the medical exemption for Djokovic.
“And did Novak have a medical exemption? If so - has the person who gave it to him been identified? What was that exemption? Just trying to get the facts as I'm embarrassed as a Victorian at this situation. Vic Govt are quiet? Can someone explain to us in plain Eng (English) please,” he further wrote.
Djokovic, who is aiming for a historic 21st Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, has been at the centre of a global controversy after landing in Melbourne unvaccinated for Covid-19 on the back of a medical exemption given to him by Tennis Australia.
Djokovic has stated that he is "opposed to vaccination" and "wouldn't want to be forced by someone" to take it for travelling or competing.
The world number one’s visa was cancelled on landing and he was placed in detention. But the fought a court battle to have it reinstated and was seen having a practice session at the Melbourne Park on Monday.
