Tennis: Djokovic gets stay on deportation from Australia

Melbourne | World tennis number one Novak Djokovic, threatened with deportation by Australia, denied his entry and had his visa granted until Monday, a new episode in the saga that led to the diplomatic event.

Also read: Tennis: Djokovic visa revoked; Serbia accuses Australia of “bad treatment”

The Serbian, who has been detained by immigration services in Melbourne since arriving Wednesday evening with the intention of participating in the Australian Open, has challenged in court the decision of the authorities to deny him entry. During the initial hearing on Thursday, the public prosecutor said he would not be deported until another hearing on Monday.

Djokovic’s spectacular visit “down” led to a diplomatic incident in which Serbian President Alexander Vuక్i accused Australia of “misbehaving” with the champion.

Some supporters gathered outside the Melbourne Hotel, which hosts World No. 1 on Thursday, demanding his release.

“Why didn’t you say anything to him before you came to Australia?” Now why? I have a lot of questions. (…) I love Australia, but what you are doing now is a disgrace to you, “said Gordona, a Serbian who has lived in Australia for 26 years.

Djokovic was smiling to announce his departure for Melbourne on Instagram on Tuesday. But the Serb, which opposed the mandatory vaccine and did not know the status of the vaccine, was finally confused.

His visa was revoked, Australian Customs explained, “Mr. Djokovic did not provide adequate entry to Australia “and” Foreign nationals who do not have a valid visa or whose visa has been revoked will be detained and deported from Australia “.

The fate reserved for “Joko” turned bad for Serbia. Its president, Alexander Vuక్i, announced on the phone that he had spoken to World No. 1, saying on Instagram that “the whole of Serbia (Djokovic) is with him (Djokovic) and that the authorities are taking all necessary steps to ensure that he is not abused.”

⁇On the first flight ”

Djokovic is already in critical condition in the Australian political arena after announcing a medical exemption from participating in the Australian Open (January 17-30).

While the evidence supporting this exception is “inappropriate”, Djokovic has warned Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison that he will “treat no one differently and return home on the first flight”.

Spanish champion Rafael Nadal, who contracted Kovid last month despite two doses of the vaccine, has expressed little sympathy for his Serbian rival.

“If you’ve been vaccinated you can play in the Australian Open and everywhere, and in my opinion the world has suffered enough to break the rules,” Nadal said. Djokovic “made his own decisions, and everyone has the freedom to make their own decisions, but then there are consequences,” he added.

Already winning 20 Grand Slams, including Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic is aiming for a record 21st Australian Open title, a tournament he has won nine times.

Against mandatory vaccination

“Knoll” had been skeptical of his involvement for months because of his obligation to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter Australia.

Djokovic spoke out against compulsory vaccinations in April 2020, after which he hoped to allow the resumption of tournaments. “Personally, I am not for vaccinations. I do not want anyone to force me to be vaccinated for travel, ”he said at the time.

He announced on Tuesday that he had finally obtained a medical exemption allowing him to tour Australia. The country’s regulations provide for this type of exemption in five specific cases (infection with Kovid in the last six months, serious medical malpractice …) but the federation, which has sought medical privacy, has refused to say what applies to Djokovic.

Djokovic’s coach Goran Ivanisevic was questioned by immigration officials when he posted a photo of himself and his crew waiting at the airport on Instagram.

“It’s not the most common trip ‘down under’,” the former Wimbledon champion commented.