Masked Djokovic driven back to detention hotel before last gasp bid to stop deportation
HE was supposed to be putting the finishing touches on his preparations ahead of defending his Australian Open title. But last night tennis star Novak Djokovic was back at an immigration detention centre before a last-ditch attempt to stop his deportation.
The world No1 wore a mask as he was driven to the notorious hotel, with his hopes of a record 21st Grand Slam resting on the decision of three judges on this morning.
Unvaccinated Djokovic had been scheduled to play his first-round match in Melbourne against fellow Serbian, Miomir Kecmanovic, tomorrow.
But that was in doubt last night with his highpowered lawyers expected at the Federal Circuit Court today to appeal against the decision to cancel his visa. Neither side can appeal the court’s ruling, meaning if the polarising 34-year-old loses he faces being quickly deported from Australia.
The debacle has overshadowed the build-up to the event and bitterly divided the tennis community. Stars such as Australian Nick Kyrtralia gios came to Djokovic’s defence, while others, such as Sir Andy Murray, have been more circumspect.
British tennis prodigy Emma Raducanu joined the debate yesterday when she said the ongoing drama had taken the spotlight away from tennis. ‘I feel like the situation has taken away a little bit from the great tennis that’s been happening over this summer in Australia,’ the US Open winner and world number 18 said.
Former Australian Open winner Rafael Nadal – who is tied with Djokovic on 20 Grand Slam titles – yesterday said he was ‘tired’ of the drama. ‘The Australian Open is much more important than any player,’ he added. ‘If he’s playing finally, okay. If he’s not playing, the Australian Open will be a great Australian Open with or without him. That’s my point of view.’
Djokovic, the nine-time Australian Open champion, had received an exemption through Tennis AusMEMBERS from strict coronavirus vaccination rules for arrivals into the country by virtue of having tested positive last month. But he was detained at Melbourne airport upon arrival after Border Force officials concluded he did not have the right paperwork to enter the country.
After four nights at the detention hotel, Judge Anthony Kelly ruled he could stay and the player spent last week practising for the tournament. As the week went on, however, a series of revelations emerged about his behaviour since his positive test – including his own admission that he met a journalist.
Djokovic also admitted his declaration form falsely claimed he had not travelled in the 14 days prior to his trip to Australia, for which he blamed his agent.
On Friday, immigration minister Alex Hawke cancelled the visa saying that not doing so could encourage Australians not to take the vaccine, increasing pressure on the country’s health service.
‘I have also given consideration to the fact that Mr Djokovic has, in the past, shown an apparent disregard for the need to isolate following the receipt of a positive Covid-19 test result,’ he said.
Djokovic’s legal team will argue the decision is irrational and affected by judicial error.
Djokovic has been assured that he can play at the French Open in May even if he remains unvaccinated. And it is expected that he will be able to defend his Wimbledon title as England currently has no restrictions on unvaccinated people.