Djokovic breaks back!
Judge frees tennis ace ++ He goes straight to court – at midnight ++ Fans pepper-sprayed in police clashes ++ Minister has final say on kicking him out – but for now:
AFTER being locked in a hotel since last week, Novak Djokovic finally set foot on an Australian tennis court yesterday – but the threat of deportation still loomed large.
The world number one said he was ‘pleased and grateful’ after a law court in Melbourne overturned the authorities’ decision to cancel his visa and kick him out of the country over his lack of Covid vaccination.
His family made outlandish claims that the star had been ‘tortured’ during his stay in a rundown immigration detention hotel as they hailed his victory as bigger than any of his 20 Grand Slam wins.
Djokovic, 34, said he ‘wants to stay’ to defend his Australian Open title and headed straight from his lawyer’s office to the Rod Laver Arena for a midnight practice session after being given his freedom. But the saga descended into farce last night with immigration minister Alex Hawke considering whether or not to use his discretionary power to once again cancel the player’s visa.
His spokesman said he was ‘considering the matter and the process remains ongoing’. Mr Hawke has previously made empty threats to kick out backpackers accused of breaking Covid rules.
A decision could come as early as today and could see the Serb deported. Djokovic was detained after flying into Australia late last Wednesday. All arrivals are required to be vaccinated or provide a valid medical exemption.
He was questioned by border officials for more than seven hours at Melbourne airport, during which he admitted he was not jabbed but said he had a visa to travel, having recently recovered after having the virus in December.
He appealed against the decision to deport him and a judge quashed it, ordering the star’s release, following a day-long hearing yesterday.
Judge Anthony Kelly said Djokovic had provided officials with a medical exemption given to him by
Tennis Australia and two medical panels. He added: ‘The point I’m somewhat agitated about is what more could this man have done?’
The judge ruled that the player had not been given enough time to speak to his lawyers before the decision was made to cancel his visa. Tweeting a picture of himself smiling on court alongside his relieved team, Djokovic said: ‘I’m pleased and grateful that the judge overturned my visa cancellation.
‘Despite all that has happened, I want to stay and try to compete... I remain focused on that.’
Djokovic, who hopes to win a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title, went on to thank his supporters for ‘standing with me... and encouraging me to stay strong.’ Several hundred fans dressed in the Serbian national colours thronged to the Melbourne law offices where he had watched his successful appeal, dancing and chanting his nickname ‘Nole’.
But things later turned nasty with some supporters clashing with police who used pepper spray to disperse crowds that surrounded a luxury car leaving the office. Speaking at a press conference in
Belgrade, Djokovic’s mother Dijana claimed: ‘He has not broken any of his rules.
He has been subjected to torture and harassment and we will hear even more about what he had to go through.
‘This is his biggest triumph in his career, it is bigger than any Grand Slam.’
But when foreign media asked why Djokovic was pictured at public events immediately after he says he tested positive in December, the live feed was cut and his brother Djordje abruptly ended the conference.
‘Subjected to torture and harassment’