Amid controversy over entry denied to the world number one tennis player Novak Djokovic, an Indian teenager, has slammed Australia for refusing visa.
17-year-old Indian tennis player Aman Dahiya says he has not been exempt from entering Australia and playing in the Australian Open.
Dahiya said he felt hurt at being denied entry to the tournament for being unvaccinated against Covid-19.
Dahiya was barred from the qualifying event of the junior Australian Open because because he is yet to get his first vaccine shot.
Australian Open director Craig Tiley told media 26 players had applied for the exemption, and only a handful had received it. Djokovic is one of them who were exempted, even though he refused to make his vaccination status public.
India recently approved Covid vaccinations for people aged between 15 and 18, and the vaccination started on 3 January. However, Dahiya is still waiting for his first shot.
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“I felt hurt after Djokovic was allowed to play and while I was denied entry for the same thing,” Dahiya told news agency AFP.
“The law should be the same for all. This is double standards.”
Meanwhile, the Australian prime minister said Novak Djokovic would not get any special treatment.
“Mr Djokovic’s visa has been cancelled. Rules are rules, especially when it comes to our borders. No one is above these rules. Our strong border policies have been critical to Australia having one of the lowest death rates in the world from COVID, we are continuing to be vigilant,” Scott Morrison tweeted.
