Djokovic saga continues
DEPORTED tennis superstar Novak Djokovic is considering suing the federal government over “ill-treatment” in Australia that included being unlawfully detained.
Djokovic’s lawyers in Europe are discussing whether to launch action in a bid to net up to $6m from taxpayers, which would include a claim for loss of earnings and potential prizemoney. Any successful action would offset the legal costs he was ordered to pay for his failed appeal against deportation on Sunday.
The Federal Court revealed on Thursday it had rejected the international star’s appeal because the minister who made the decision was entitled to think Djokovic’s stay in the country would put the community at risk.
Five days after the No.1ranked tennis player was booted from the country, Chief Justice James Allsop released reasons for the court’s decision, including that it was reasonable to infer Djokovic had antivaccination views and could influence others.
“An iconic world tennis star may influence people of all ages, young or old, but perhaps especially the young and the impressionable, to emulate him,” the judgment reads.
“Even if Mr Djokovic did not win the Australian Open, the capacity of his presence in Australia playing tennis to encourage those who would emulate or wish to be like him is a rational foundation for the view that he might foster antivaccination sentiment.”
In another twist to the longrunning saga, Tennis Australia rejected claims by former Brighton mayor John Locco that it was involved in paying Djokovic’s legal fees. After initially refusing to answer questions on Wednesday, Tennis Australia told News Corp Australia on Thursday it refuted the allegations.
Djokovic was deported on the eve of the Australian Open following a week-long visa battle with the federal government. The unvaccinated star spent several nights detained in an infamous Melbourne refugee hotel before being booted from the country.
“It’s well known that Novak and his family feel he was poorly treated in the quarantine hotel in Melbourne,” a source close to his agent, Edoardo Artladi, told The Sun UK.
“His mother revealed how it was full of fleas and maggots. He was kept a virtual prisoner.”
News Corp Australia has contacted his London-based legal team for comment.