Melbourne, January 6: Novak Djokovic will remain in Australia until at least Monday, when a hearing on his appeal against deportation will take place.
World number one Djokovic, who has not declared his COVID-19 vaccination status, seemed set to play in this month’s Australian Open after he was granted a medical exemption.
Protocols in Australia require proof that competitors and staff have been jabbed or have a medical exemption to compete at Melbourne Park.
Tournament director Craig Tiley insisted that the 20-time major champion had not been given a “special favour” to play in the tournament, though the decision faced immediate and widespread backlash.
On Wednesday, Djokovic faced deportation after Australian Border Force’s decision to cancel his visa application, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison declaring “rules are rules.”
However, the Serbian’s legal team have filed for a judicial review, with the case to be heard by Federal Circuit Court Judge Anthony Kelly on Monday at 10am local time in Melbourne.
Due to a delay in receiving the application for a review of the visa decision and the temporary ban on Djokovic’s deportation, it has been agreed that the 34-year-old should remain in Australia until at least Monday.
Djokovic can leave Australia of his own volition.
Protestors have also appeared outside of the hotel where Djokovic has been transferred, supporting the nine-time Australian Open winner.
The matter has also drawn criticism from Serbia’s president Aleksandar Vucic, who labelled Australia’s treatment of the nation’s superstar as “harassment.”
Rafael Nadal, meanwhile, suggested Djokovic had made life difficult for himself by refusing to reveal his vaccination status.
“The only thing that I can say is I believe in what the people who know about medicine says, and if the people say that we need to get vaccinated, we need to get the vaccine,” Nadal said.
“I went through COVID. I have been vaccinated twice. If you do this, you don’t have any problem to play here. The world in my opinion has been suffering enough to not follow the rules.
“I think if he wanted, he would be playing here in Australia without a problem. He made his own decisions, and everybody is free to take their own decisions, but then there are some consequences.” (Mykhel.com)