Djokovic crime: decision before the Federal Court

A federal court is due to make a final decision in the case of the unvaccinated Serb on Sunday after he the visa for Australia has been revoked for the second time. The opening game of the world number one at the Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne is actually planned for Monday. Even after Immigration Minister Alex Hawke's word of power on Friday, there is still no clarity as to whether the 34-year-old defending champion will be able to compete after the days-long Corona antics.

Djokovic may not be deported until the court has ruled on his objection, but his preparation for the Australian Open is severely disrupted. Concentrated training? Not at all. Djokovic was scheduled to appear at the immigration authorities for a hearing on Saturday morning (local time). Until then, the Australian Open record champion was allowed to remain in his private accommodation. This is followed by an initial hearing before the Federal Court, after which he is allowed to discuss further strategy with his lawyers for several hours. Then he should go back to the deportation hotel overnight, where he had already spent a few nights. A never-ending saga These are the next chapters in a never-ending Corona story about Djokovic. As expected, the 20-time Grand Slam tournament winner's lawyers objected to Hawke's announcement on Friday. The immigration minister had been delaying his decision since Monday. It was only on Friday around 18.00 p.m. that he announced that he would exercise his personal right to cancel Djokovic's visa.

Novak Djokovic last trained in Melbourne. © ANSA / DIEGO FEDELE

This was well-founded and “in the public interest,” said the minister. Djokovic has not been vaccinated against the coronavirus and is therefore a controversial figure in the country that has set tough rules since the beginning of the pandemic. The world number one's participation in the Australian Open was not yet ruled out, but is now unlikely. The record winner only has the weekend to get the chance to achieve the tennis milestone he is hoping for. If he takes part, Djokovic would have to face compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic on Monday.

Judge Anthony Kelly, who was already involved in the case, scheduled a meeting on Friday evening to discuss how to proceed. The immense interest worldwide was also shown by the fact that tens of thousands watched the YouTube broadcast. In the meantime, the live broadcast stalled. “Every minute before the tournament starts on Monday is precious,” said Djokovic’s lawyer. Djokovic appeals against the verdict At the same time, the lawyer criticized that the decision was “irrational” and disproportionate. He also complained that Hawke had waited so long to make his decision and had put Djokovic in a difficult situation. Former Djokovic coach Niki Pilic also reacted with incomprehension. The 82-year-old said he was “not surprised,” according to the Serbian news agency Tanjug. The politicians had “decided that they wanted to score political points at Novak’s expense,” said Pilic, complaining that Djokovic had been treated “like a criminal” since his arrival. “Novak doesn’t deserve this, they should be ashamed,” said Pilic. In Serbian tabloid media one could read about the “lynching mood”.

Actually, only vaccinated players are allowed to compete at the Australian Open. Djokovic had applied for a medical exemption and said he had tested positive in December. The Australian Tennis Association had given him special permission and two expert panels had examined his case. However, upon arrival last week, the authorities had already refused Djokovic entry and classified the documents presented for his medical exemption as insufficient. Because he wasn't given enough time to react, Judge Kelly overturned the entry ban during a court hearing on Monday.

Since then, Djokovic has been preparing for the Australian Open at the tennis facility on the Yarra River. With a tenth triumph, he would win his 21st Grand Slam title and become the sole record Grand Slam tournament winner. He currently shares this record with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, who has been sidelined for months. On Friday, the number one in the world rankings trained early in the day instead of in the afternoon as originally planned. He couldn't yet know what would happen next. Australians had to make many sacrifices “This pandemic has been incredibly difficult for every Australian, but we pulled together and saved lives and livelihoods. Together we have achieved one of the lowest mortality rates, the strongest economy and the highest vaccination rates in the world," said Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, welcoming Hawke's decision: "Australians have made many sacrifices during this pandemic, and they are right to expect that the outcome of these sacrifices is protected.”

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Djokovic crime: decision before the Federal Court

In his seemingly endless deportation crime, Novak Djokovic is threatened with expulsion just a few hours before the start of the Australian Open.

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