Monday, January 10, 2022
Australian Open or deportation
Immigration minister decides on Djokovic
Novak Djokovic is allowed to leave the deportation hotel, but his whereabouts in Australia are still not certain. Immigration Secretary Alex Hawke is responsible for expelling the tennis superstar from the country and canceling his visa. Then Djokovic wouldn’t just miss the Australian Open.
Novak Djokovic’s victory in the legal tug-of-war for his entry into Australia remains for the time being. The Minister for Immigration, Alex Hawke, initially refrained from revoking the Serbian tennis star’s right of residence with his personal decision-making power. A corresponding deadline passed in the evening (local time). This was reported by the newspapers “The Age” and “Sydney Herald”, which also quoted a spokesman for Hawkes that the minister reserves the right to expel Djokovic: “The minister is dealing with the issue” and that the decision-making process has not yet been completed.
A court in Melbourne had previously ruled in favor of the 34-year-old and ordered Djokovic’s release from the accommodation facility for those obliged to leave the country. The Serb’s lawyers had taken action against the cancellation of his visa by the border protection authorities after the arrival of the world number one last Wednesday. However, it is still uncertain whether Djokovic will be able to take part in the Australian Open as defending champion from January 17th. A decision from Hawke is expected on Tuesday, according to media reports. According to consistent reports, a rejection would also be accompanied by a three-year entry ban.
Alleged Djokovic car is besieged
Djokovic’s lawyers had based their reasoning on the fact that their client had been granted an exemption from vaccination by two independent medical bodies. Another important factor was that the border authorities had apparently put Djokovic under too much time pressure to react after his arrival and rejection. According to court files, the sports star entered the country unvaccinated. He is said to have found out about a positive corona test on December 16. After that, he went to appointments largely without a mask.
Djokovic had already been allowed to leave the Park Hotel in Melbourne for the hearing, to which the authorities had brought him after he was refused entry. Today, Monday, he received his passport and personal belongings back after the judge’s verdict. This was preceded by a day-long legal tug of war that moved observers all over the world. The Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic spoke of a “harassment” Djokovic, whose father struck even sharper tones during protests in Belgrade. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison resisted, insisting that no one was above the law.
There was a loud noise outside Djokovic’s lawyers’ office Reporter Paul Sakkal to clashes between the police and supporters of the tennis professional. Officials had used pepper spray to clear the way for a black Mercedes that Djokovic was apparently suspected to be in. The Serbian supporters are said to have hit the window of the car, and a video even shows a person jumping around on the roof of the black limousine. The scene is framed by persistent “Nole, Nole” chants.