No. 1 in men’s tennis in the world, Novak Djokovic returned to training hours after winning, on Monday (10), a court dispute to stay in Australia, thanking the judge who released him from immigration detention and saying he remains focused on his campaign to try to win his 21st Grand Slam victory in Melbourne.
But the fight over his medical exemption from vaccinating against Covid-19 may not have ended because the Australian government said it was still considering another move to deport him.
“I am pleased and grateful that the judge overturned my visa cancellation,” wrote Djokovic on Twitter, where he posted a photo of himself on the court at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne Park. “Despite everything that’s happened, I want to stay and try to compete at the Australian Open.”
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 @AustralianOpen
I remain focused on that. I flew here to play at one of the most important events we have in front of the amazing fans. 👇 pic.twitter.com/iJVbMfQ037— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 10, 2022
Earlier, Judge Anthony Kelly ruled that the federal government’s action, which revoked the Serbian tennis player’s visa last week, was “irrational” and ordered his release.
“Novak is free and just now he went to the tennis court to train,” Djokovic’s younger brother Djordje said at a family press conference in Belgrade. “He’s there to set another record.”
Djokovic, who arrived in Australia last week to defend his title at the Australian Open, spent the day in his lawyers’ office.
There were chaotic scenes this Monday (10), as supporters gathered outside the lawyers’ office shouting “Free Novak!” Police at one point used pepper spray to try to break through as a black car with tinted windows exited the building.
A spokesman for Immigration Minister Alex Hawke said he was considering using his wide discretionary powers given him by the Australia Migration Act to again revoke Djokovic’s visa. Such a move could include a three-year ban on re-entry into Australia.
“The minister is considering the matter and the process is still ongoing,” said the spokesman.
The controversy was followed closely around the world, creating diplomatic tensions between Belgrade and Canberra and sparking heated debate over national vaccination rules.
a circus before the tournament
The Australian Open starts on January 17th. Djokovic has won the tournament, one of tennis’s four Grand Slams, in the past three years and nine times in total.
Spanish rival Rafael Nadal called the drama surrounding the preparations for the tournament a “circus”.
“I agree or not with Djokovic on some things, the court spoke and said he has the right to participate in the Australian Open and I think it’s the fairest decision,” Nadal told Spanish radio Onda Cero.
Judge Kelly said he overturned the decision to block Djokovic’s entry into Australia because the player did not have enough time to speak with tennis organizers and lawyers to fully respond after he was notified of the intention to cancel his visa.
Officials at the Melbourne airport, where Djokovic had been detained on arrival on Wednesday night, reneged on an agreement to give Djokovic until 8:30 am to speak with the Australis Open tournament organizer and his lawyers, Kelly said.
Instead, Djokovic was awakened by authorities around 6 am and said he felt pressured to respond.
The player, who has long opposed mandatory vaccinations, told border officials he was not vaccinated and contracted Covid-19 twice, according to an interview transcript.
medical exemption
Kelly earlier told the court that it appeared that Djokovic had sought and received the medically waived mandatory vaccination against Covid-19 based on the fact that he had contracted the virus last month. He had presented evidence of this before traveling to Melbourne and when he landed on Wednesday night.
“What else could this man have done?” said the judge.
Kelly’s decision did not directly address the question of whether the exemption based on an infection in the past six months was valid, which the government disputed.
Australian Open CEO Craig Tiley previously said his organization had been talking to federal and state officials for months to ensure players’ safe passage. The Australian Open did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
While news of the ruling was greeted with drumming and dancing by some 50 fans outside Melbourne’s court, broader public opinion in Australia, where more than 90% of the adult population is double vaccinated, has largely been against the player. Melbourne experienced the longest lockdown period in the world.
The country’s Covid-19 cases topped 1 million on Monday, with more than half recorded last week, increasing the number of hospitalizations, straining supply chains and straining hospital facilities.
The saga began when Djokovic posted a photo propped up in his luggage on Instagram last Tuesday, telling the world he was going to Australia exempt from vaccinations.
Reference: CNN Brasil
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