Will Novak Djokovic take part in the Australian Open? The mystery remains, even if the world No. 1 was able to continue his preparation and train again on the courts of Melbourne Park. Especially since the Serbian would have provided false information to the Australian authorities, in particular on his travels before his departure.
His form of arrival on Australian soil would be at the heart of new questions. In particular, the question “Have you traveled during the last fourteen days” was asked and the “no” box was checked. However, before taking the plane to Melbourne, he traveled to Spain near Marbella, where he trained in anticipation of the first Grand Slam of the season.
At the beginning of the year, the Soso Tennis Academy had notably published several videos of the man with the 20 Grand Slam titles training, but also surrounded by children wishing a happy new year 2022. He would have left the country on January 4, according to the Australian press. This is the day he announced that he had obtained a medical exemption to participate in the Australian Open before flying to Melbourne.
In his defense, on his arrival at the airport, where he saw his visa canceled, Novak Djokovic explained to local authorities that Tennis Australia had filled out the form for him. This new twist could pose a problem and call into question its participation.
Less than a week before the start of the tournament (January 17-30), when a judge overturned the cancellation of his visa earlier this week, a government lawyer warned that Canberra could still decide to deport the Serbian, who had indicated to have tested positive for Covid-19 on December 16, before appearing in public without a mask the next day. 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 . The final decision should be known in the next few hours.