Novak Djokovic won an appeal against a decision to refuse him a visa in the Federal Circuit Court of Australia on Monday, seemingly allowing him to compete in the Australian Open from January 17 despite being unvaccinated against COVID-19
Last Updated: 10/01/22 1:31pm
Novak Djokovic is back in training ahead of the Australian Open after winning an appeal against a decision to refuse him a visa.
Djokovic won an appeal against a decision to refuse him a visa in the Federal Circuit Court of Australia on Monday, seemingly allowing him to compete in the Australian Open from January 17 despite being unvaccinated against COVID-19.
The world No 1 argued that he flew into Australia with an “exemption” on his visa, but when he arrived in the country on Wednesday he was denied entry.
On Monday, Judge Anthony Kelly quashed the visa cancellation, and ordered the Australian Government to pay legal costs and release Djokovic from detention within half an hour as he delivered his verdict at 6.16am GMT.
Tweeting on Monday, Djokovic said: “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.
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
For now I cannot say more but THANK YOU all for standing with me through all this and encouraging me to stay strong ????
“For now I cannot say more but THANK YOU all for standing with me through all this and encouraging me to stay strong.”
Speaking at news conference in Belgrade, Djokovic’s father Srdjan stressed that the “rule of law has won” in this case: “At the end he won, justice has won and the rule of law has won.”
Djordje Djokovic, his brother, revealed the current Australian Open champion has already been on the court.
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Novak Djokovic won an appeal against a decision to refuse him a visa in the Federal Circuit Court of Australia ahead of the Australian Open
“Novak is free. A few minutes ago, he trained on a tennis court,” he said. “He came to Australia to play tennis, to try and win another Australian Open.
“He has been branded in different ways for many years and he has always supported freedom of choice.”
Djokovic’s mother, Dijana, told the press conference that her son has “done nothing wrong”.
“We’re here to celebrate the victory of our son Novak. He always fought for justice. He’s done nothing wrong. He went there to win that tournament. This situation has been extremely difficult. There has been a spectrum of emotions: sadness, fear, disappointment.
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Supporters of Novak Djokovic have mobbed a car believed to be carrying the World Number 1, following his successful appeal against his visa refusal
“There were moments when he didn’t have his mobile with him. we had no idea what was happening.”
Dijana also thanked everyone around the world who has supported her son in Melbourne.
“This is the biggest win in his career, it is bigger than any Grand Slam,” she said.
Shortly after the verdict on Monday, a transcript of Djokovic’s interview with Border Force last week was released in which Djokovic stated: “I am not vaccinated.”
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Novak Djokovic’s supporters celebrated outside the courthouse where an Australian judge reinstated the World No 1’s visa ahead of the Australian Open
The Serb’s visa was one that did not allow for medical exemptions and was cancelled, after which he was moved to hotel quarantine as his team launched an appeal.
The Australian Home Affairs department appealed for the hearing to be delayed until Wednesday, but their request was rejected on Sunday by Judge Anthony Kelly.
On Sunday, the govt filled documents in defence of their decision to deny Djokovic entry. “This is because there is no such thing as an assurance of entry by a non-citizen into Australia. Rather, there are criteria and conditions for entry, and reasons for refusal or cancellation of a visa,” the government’s filing said.
The Australian Open starts on Monday January 17, with the draw taking place on Thursday January 13.
Djokovic’s Aussie Open debacle: What’s happened?
Djokovic flew to Australia with a ‘vaccine exemption’ and arrived in Melbourne on Wednesday, but was ultimately denied entry into the country after nine hours at the airport.
The Serb’s visa was one that did not allow for medical exemptions and was cancelled, after which he was moved to hotel quarantine as his team launched an appeal.
The Australian Home Affairs department appealed for the hearing to be delayed until Wednesday, but their request was rejected on Sunday by Judge Anthony Kelly.
On Sunday, the govt filled documents in defence of their decision to deny Djokovic entry. “This is because there is no such thing as an assurance of entry by a non-citizen into Australia. Rather, there are criteria and conditions for entry, and reasons for refusal or cancellation of a visa,” the government’s filing said.