MELBOURNE | Novak Djokovic trained on Tuesday at the Australian Open site, the day after his legal victory against the Australian government and his release, while his participation is still pending, his visa may once again be canceled.
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The world number 1 in tennis, who dreams of winning his 21 in Melbournee Grand Slam title, synonymous with a record, was seen warming up in a gym before entering the players’ area and heading to center court, six days before the start of the competition in which he is seed # 1.
“I came here to play one of the most important tournaments in front of incredible spectators,” said the 34-year-old Serbian ace, unvaccinated against COVID-19, on Instagram late Monday, under a photo of him and his team standing on the same center court.
But, one week before the start of the event (January 17-30), Christopher Tran, a government lawyer, warned that Canberra could still decide to expel the player, which would have the consequence of denying him any entry on the territory for three years.
A spokesperson for Immigration Minister Alex Hawke said he was “considering canceling Mr Djokovic’s visa” using his ministerial powers, but declined to say more on legal grounds.
Setback for Australia
The decision to release the Serbian, however, is a setback for Australia, which has imposed strict border restrictions to fight the pandemic for two years.
Nine-time Australian Open champion Djokovic landed in the country on January 5, with a medical exemption from vaccination justified by a positive test for COVID-19 on December 16, 2021.
“I am not vaccinated,” the player told the border official, according to a transcript released by the court. He said he was baffled that his medical exemption, approved by two medical committees in Australia, was not accepted.
After an overnight interrogation at Melbourne airport, border control officers ruled the exemption was not valid, canceled his visa and transferred him to a detention center pending deportation.
The Australian government has argued that a recent infection only counts as an exemption for residents, not foreign nationals trying to enter the country.
According to the court’s findings, the player did not have the opportunity to present his arguments before his visa was invalidated by the authorities.
For the judge, if they had given him time, Djokovic “could have consulted other people and presented arguments to explain why his visa should not be canceled”.
The judgment further provides that the legal costs incurred by the player must be reimbursed to him and will be borne by the Australian taxpayer.
“Destabilize Novak”
On Tuesday, the Serbian press continued to show its support for the athlete, like the independent daily DANAS for whom “the Australian drama will only strengthen (him)”. “They tried by all means to destabilize Novak, estimated in his columns his former coach Nikola Pilic. They forgot or didn’t know he’s been under pressure for 15 years (and) he’s been managing successfully. ”
As Djokovic trained in Melbourne Park, fans grew impatient to see him play. “I think he’s going to get a lot of insults from the fans in general, but I hope a few people will support him,” said Ofek Dvir Ovadia, 22.
On Monday, his family welcomed the decision to release him, believing that justice had been served. “For me, it’s the biggest victory of his career,” commented his mother Dijana.
The ATP, which manages the men’s tennis circuit, said the case had been “detrimental on all fronts, including the well-being of Novak and his preparation for the Australian Open”.
The tennis governing body added that it respected the ‘sacrifices’ of the Australians, who ‘endured travel restrictions and blockages for two years’, but added that it was clear that by heading to Melbourne , the player “thought he had obtained a necessary medical exemption”.