The in-again out-again saga of Novak Djokovic and the 2022 Australian Open took another severe–but not unexpected turn–on Friday.
After temporarily having his Australian visa reinstated by judge Anthony Kelly earlier this week, it was canceled again on Friday afternoon by immigration minister Alex Hawke.
Per Hawke himself, Djokovic’s visa was cancelled based on “health and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so.” Hawke’s statement added that Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s government “is firmly committed to protecting Australia’s borders, particularly in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“This pandemic has been incredibly difficult for every Australian, but we have stuck together and saved lives and livelihoods,” Morris added. “Australians have made many sacrifices during this pandemic, and they rightly expect the result of those sacrifices to be protected. This is what the minister is doing in taking this action today.”
Djokovic’s lawyers are once again appealing. They won their first case, but it is widely expected to be more difficult to sway judge Kelly this time around.
If the world No. 1’s appeal is rejected on Sunday, deportation proceedings will begin on Monday — the same day the Australian Open begins and Djokovic is scheduled to play his first-round match in the top half of the draw.
discuss
It’s a mess and nobody is coming up smelling of roses.
I really don’t know whether is it worth fighting the case for Djoko this second time round; if he loses he will be deported and I think he will be banned from entering Australia for three years! I thought that is rather harsh!
Why not he withdraws from the AO and leaves Australia on his own accord, I think that way he would not be banned from entering Australia the next time he comes, if he satisfies the entry requirements.
Why risk the chances of winning the AO for the next three years? Unless, of course he thinks he’s going to retire soon and will not be playing professional tennis from next year onwards (unlikely I think).
I think it’s because he knows he’s running out of time to win a another major given the growing competition.
Murray could be a serious contender for Wimbledon this year and Federer is a chance at playing, as well.
Novak is not stupid; he would already assessed his calendar and best opportunities and the AO was at the top of his list.
He knows that beating Rafa two years in a row at RG is not high probability, even with Rafa being outside his prime.
And the USO tends to favour the younger players.
Lucky,
I think Novak should withdraw. That would be the best thing for him because then he won’t be banned for three years. However, given how narcissistic and self-centered he is I don’t see him doing it.
A female Czechoslovakian player was deported for the same reason that Novak is facing. She was in the pool swimming when police came and took her away to be deported. She is already back home.she did not have lawyers and the clout of Novak to fight it. But the rules need to apply to everyone equally.
Novak has been given special treatment. This is all on him. If he stays then he will be the only unvaccinated player there. Why? It makes a mockery of the rules and procedures in place to protect people.
Djokovic has a strong defence, given he hasn’t made any anti-vaccination statements since the beginning of the pandemic, which is what the Government is trying to use against him.
However, it’s implicit that he is anti-vaccination, given he hasn’t been vaccinated and hasn’t made a public announcement changing his views.
It will be interesting to see if he can weasel his way out of this one.
In court documents submitted after the hearing, lawyers for the Serbian tennis star said it was not open to Immigration Minister Alex Hawke, on the material before him, to declare their client held well-known anti-vax views.
Although Djokovic has refused to take the jab, his lawyers told the court his strongest public statement against vaccination dated back almost two years, to April 2020, before the first COVID-19 vaccines were available.
“There was no evidence before the respondent that Mr Djokovic had made any comments about his vaccination status or expressed any ‘views’ regarding vaccination at any time during which he has been in Australia … or at any other time in any other location (post April 2020)” his lawyers submitted.
Mr Hawke’s decision to pursue deportation proceedings against the world’s best tennis player on grounds that his global profile, public opposition to vaccination and disregard for following COVID-19 restrictions may fuel the anti-vax movement in Australia has elevated the Djokovic saga from a dispute about travel papers into something well beyond its bureaucratic origins.
Source: Sydney Morning Herald
He also mentions lequipe lack of isolation and irresponsible behaviour
However I think the govmt has a weak case and djoko will win the case and play . His lawyers request of giving him a full bench was granted whereas govnt wanted just one judge , so it’s anyways advantage Djokovic
Who said the government has a weak case? Are you aware that a female Czechoslovakian tennis player has already been deported for the exact same reason? The police came and took her and deported her. Unfortunately, she did not have high priced lawyers and the clout if being #1. So why dies she get deported and not Novak?
You keep going on about him playing. You don’t seem to grasp what he has done. Fair is fair. If that female player was deported, then Novak should go, too.m
Well if he loses the case, he’ll be toast for the next three years (at the AO)! It’s really high risk for him, moreover with this saga, I doubt he’ll be well prepared for this AO.
Frankly, I see Zverev as the favourite for this AO (I was hoping that Rafa could avoid Zverev’s quarter, too bad!). Zverev is playing well (winning the Olympics gave him so much confidence and he went on to win the WTF!). Zverev had reached three SFs of the slams out of all four that he played, very good results! Not even Meddy could do that nor Tsitsipas.
I will not rule out Rafa, he always has a tough draw here and with all that’s happening here who knows how it’s going to affect the players’ psyches!! I mean, will he (Novak) or will he not play? There’s no doubt it has disrupted their focus including Novak’s. It’s really unfair that they have left the decision this late!! Ridiculous!! I too feel that a 3 yr ban is harsh!
However, Vamos Rafa all the way!!
It’s not a 3 year ban yet. It’s not even yet decided he won’t play
By the way, is Stan and Theim in the draw?
Thiem is out injured still. I don’t think Stan is playing either.
Don’t know what’s going to happen with NoVax. I’d love to be rid of him but at this point, like most people, I’d just like it to be OVER.
Best comment on twitter: Never has a bigger prick been more afraid of a tiny jab.
NoVax behavior has been inexplicable. With so much at stake why doesn’t he just get the damn shot? I’m beginning to believe that he truly believes it’s going to do something terrible to him and ruin his “sacred body”. I dunno. He’s got a lot of belief. Crazy beliefs in my opinion. Maybe it would even kill him.
There is little reason to believe that NoVax had covid in December. He said he did but it’s quite obvious that he would lie about anything at this point and much of Serbia would be delighted to lie for him. Serbia’s got some bad history and it seems to have left a lot of them with an inferiority complex that justifies anything they want to do or say.
Why have government gone with this risk to public order strategy? It seems pretty tenuous and quite odd when there were so many issues in play. The Morrisson government is unbelievably incompetent and may have screwed things up yet again.
Does NK ever shut up?! He goes on and on about every single issue as if he was a mix of Mandela and the Dalai Lama.
Sagacity is not his middle name.
NK is another attention seeker. He is probably annoyed that he is losing out on all this spotlight, lol!
I’m really sorry to hear about Theim and Stan! I mean the line up is pretty lean given the circumstances. It also goes to show how much Rafa and Roger have contributed to the sport above more than just tennis! In their hay days stuff like this just did not happen, they carried the sport with dignity!!!! Good things never last I suppose, sigh!
VANOS Rafa!!
I don’t suppose people have seen the appalling social media posts between NK and his girlfriend ( sorry can’t remember her name) which came out on small tennis sites.
In them NK taunts her about his sleeping with strippers, calls her toxic, and suggests she do away with herself. The guy is loathsome.
They came out in the autumn last year.
A Serbian health official has said Novax was notified of the ‘positive ‘ result on the 16 so knew when he was with all those children. So yet another lie.
He has to be chucked out! This is getting ridiculous..!
Im still a huge fan of his tennis its the person more and more I cant have. Even if he withdraws , is he only going to be able to play when the restrictions allow antivaxxers ?
Its disappointing for the game ifhe doesnt play but its the right thing to do .
How funny is it watching Kyrgios getting involved at every opportunity to try and stay relevant. Like anyone gives two fcks what he thinks.
looks like Novak will play AO 2022. We will find out soon but I that’s the impression I get.
Why the hell is he going to play? That is outrageous! I hope he gets it from the crowd. He is disgusting.
He won’t play anything. They will deport him. If anyone actually watched the court case, one can surmise that it will be difficult for Djokovic to win this one. Let’s see what happens.
It’s very difficult to overturn the immigration minister’s decision bc of the extensive powers he has. You must have an indisputable, cogent and powerful reason to prove that he acted irrationally in his decision. And from what I’ve seen and heard, Djokovic lawyers are clutching at straws.
110% agree with you VR
is that you, hawkeye? if yes, high five!
Virtual high five right back at you VR!
Yes it me lol
Djokovic wont win. He’s a 8/1 chance after everything that’s happened and the amount of pressure he will be under.
The other players will be doing everything to take him down also because they’ve had to abide by the rules.
If you’re so confident he is going to win, put your house down on him.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/send-him-home-poll-reveals-overwhelming-support-for-decision-to-deport-novak-djokovic-20220115-p59oh9.html
With so much anti-Djokovic sentiment, good luck is all I can say. At 35, your lapses in concentration increase exponentially by the week.
Lol, so what do u say for me at near 51?! 🤣🤣
This has been such a distraction that any form Djokovic was bringing into this years AO has become irrelevant.
Djokovic can’t win either way. This is too big a hurdle even for a mental rock like Djokovic.
we’ll never know, but I agree
The charade is over. Let’s get on with the tennis!
C’mon Andy!
Margot,
I think it’s great to see Andy looking good again. He has really hung in there. God bless him.