Melbourne [Australia], January 8 (ANI): World number one Novak Djokovic‘s brother Djordje has said that the tennis star is determined to see truth prevail in the vaccine exemption controversy and as a result, the Serbian player will fight it out in the court.
The Australian Open organizers granted a medical exemption to vaccine-skeptic Djokovic after which he jetted into Melbourne on Wednesday. However, on landing the nine-time Australian Open champion spent eight hours in detention at Melbourne Airport where he unsuccessfully pleaded his case to border officials. “Novak could have left Australia by now, but had he done that, he would have admitted he is guilty which he is not, and defeat, which is not an option. What’s left is to await the court’s decision. I don’t know what he’ll do if the decision doesn’t go his way, and he doesn’t know either. He is full of emotions, and tennis and the grand slam are currently the last things on his mind,” Djordje told Serbian media, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald.
“The only thing he wants is to see justice served and the truth revealed. He didn’t complete any forms, that were done through the Australian tennis federation. It cooperated with the federal government and the tennis federation cannot issue any certificate, it was issued by the Victorian government. But the federal government stopped that certificate, which means we’ve reached a serious political situation,” he added. Djokovic on Friday had thanked people for their support since he was refused entry to Australia over his COVID-19 vaccine status.
“Thank you to people around the world for your continuous support. i can feel it and it is greatly appreciated,” the
Serbian, who is in a detention facility in Melbourne awaiting an appeal, said on Instagram. On Thursday, Djokovic won his court bid and as a result, there was no immediate deportation, allowing the defending Australian Open champion to stay in Melbourne until at least Monday.
Notably, the 34-year-old world number one had been granted a medical exemption to play in the AO 2022 for unspecified reasons, which created a huge uproar. Djokovic’s exemption was given by two independent medical panels organised by Tennis Australia, the body that runs the event, and Victoria state. (ANI)
Australian Open: Pleased and grateful that judge overturned my visa cancellation, says Djokovic
Melbourne [Australia], January 10 (ANI): World number one men’s singles player Novak Djokovic on Monday said he is “pleased and grateful” that the judge has overturned his visa cancellation ahead of the Australian Open. The tennis star won his legal appeal on procedural grounds, quashing the border officer’s initial decision to cancel his visa.
Judge Anthony Kelly of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia quashed the cancellation of Djokovic’s visa and confirmed the twenty-time Grand Slam winner Serbian will be permitted to stay in Australia.
Djokovic was also ordered to be released from detention immediately with his passport and “personal effects”. “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,” Djokovic tweeted. The defending Australian Open champion also thanked his fans for standing with him during the proceedings.
“For now I cannot say more but THANK YOU all for standing with me through all this and encouraging me to stay strong,” he added.
Notably, Djokovic was granted a medical exemption to enter Australia and compete in the Australian Open because he had recently tested positive for COVID-19, court documents published on Saturday have revealed.
The Australian Open organizers granted a medical exemption to vaccine-skeptic Djokovic after which he jetted into Melbourne on Wednesday.
However, on landing the nine-time Australian Open champion spent eight hours in detention at Melbourne Airport where he unsuccessfully pleaded his case to border officials. (ANI)
