- The Czech tennis star Renata Voracova was deported alongside Novak Djokovic
- She had hoped to compete in the Australian Open under a COVID-19 a medical exemption
- The Administrative Appeals Tribunal of Australia determined that the Czech player did not violate any laws
Following her deportation over her unvaccinated status at the 2022 Australian Open, Czech tennis star Renata Voracova can now to travel to Australia.
This is after a tribunal overturned the cancellation of her visa together with that for Novak Djokovic. However, this does not necessarily mean that Djokovic will also have his visa reinstated because the circumstances surrounding Voracova’s case are distinct from his.
On December 30, 2021, Voracova arrived in Australia and hoped to compete in the Australian Open under a COVID-19 a medical exemption.
She took part in the doubles competition of the Gippsland Trophy in Melbourne, but after Djokovic arrived in Australia, things went from bad to worse for her. Following discussions with the Australian Border Force, Voracova ultimately decided to depart Australia “as a lawful non-citizen.”
Renata Voracova. Photo/Marca
Jan Redfern, the tribunal’s vice-president and head of the migration and refugee division said his judgment at the time in order. At the time of his oral judgment, he was not satisfied that Voracova’s presence would be such as to harm the health of the Australian community or a part of the Australian population.
He admits he could not come to terms with the fact that the basis for cancellation were met since Voracova met all her visa conditions. He adds that Voracova does not have a problem with people getting vaccinated.
The tribunal doesn’t also have any evidence to suggest that Voracova has a problem with people getting vaccinated.
As a result of the cancellation of her visa, Voracova had difficulty gaining entrance into a number of other countries. As a result, her case was expeditiously reviewed in February.
A three-year ban on entering Australia would have had a significant negative impact on her professional life. Redfern continued, saying that he accepts it would be difficult for Voracova to have her visa cancelled because of the potential impact on future travel to Australia.
This was in reference to the fact that Ms. Voracova could be prevented from entering the country in the future.
Speaking to Reuters at the time of deportation, she said that she will be vaccinated in future. Narrating her experience with Australian Border Officials, she recalled there was a lot of confusion. She was forced to use side lifts – not the normal lifts – into an isolation hotel where no one could see her. A van was on standby at the garage.
Renata Varacova. Photo/IWM Buzz
“I really didn’t know after questioning what I was supposed to do, what my rights are. There were people with me from Tennis Australia, lawyers who were helping me. And they didn’t appeal to court. So I didn’t know I could do it. I just followed the advice they give me.”
She told BBC that the whole treatment made her feel ‘a little bit like a criminal’. Varacova said she followed all due process and there was no point in making her feel this way.
The Czech implored that if she knew this would happen, she would never have flown to Australia. Nonetheless, approval of all her documents hoodwinked her only to be flown back home unceremoniously.
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