Novak Djokovic trained on Tuesday at the Australian Open site, the day after his legal victory against the Australian government and his release. But his participation is still pending, as his visa can once again be canceled.
The no 1 in the world of tennis, who dreams of winning their 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 no 1.
“I came here to play one of the most important tournaments in front of incredible spectators,” the 34-year-old Serbian ace, unvaccinated against COVID-19, said on Instagram late Monday, under a photo. of him and his team standing on the same center court.
But, a 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 . A new element could weaken the position of the no 1 worldwide: contrary to what he said in a travel document, he traveled between Serbia and Spain at the end of December, as shown by various publications in the international press and on social networks.
Setback for Australia
A court decision to release the Serb 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 COVID-19 test 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 and not for foreigners trying to enter the country.
According to the court’s findings, the player did not have time to “consult other people and present arguments” before his visa was invalidated.
Destabilize Novak
On Tuesday, the Serbian press continued to show its support for the sportsman, like the independent daily DANAS for whom “the Australian drama will only [le] to strenghten “. “They tried by all means to destabilize Novak, estimated in his pages his former trainer Nikola Pilic. They forgot or didn’t know he’s been under pressure for fifteen years [et] he manages [le stress] with success. “
As Djokovic trained at 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 will support him,” said Ofek Dvir Ovadia, 22.
On Monday, his family welcomed the decision to release him. “For me, this is 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 for the well-being of Novak and his preparation for the Australian Open”.