Australia expels tennis player Novak Djokovic – Sport

Novak Djokovic is not allowed to take part in the Australian Open and has to leave the country. As the federal court in Australia ruled, the appeal of the Serbian tennis pro against his denied entry and the annulment of the visa was rejected.

The federal court thus supported the assessment of Australia’s Immigration Minister Alex Hawke, who declared Djokovic’s visa invalid in a personal decision on Friday.

The world number one landed in Australia on January 6 to compete at the Australian Open and defend his title from the previous year. Because he is not vaccinated against the corona virus, the border authorities refused him entry and took him to a deportation hotel. Since then, the case has occupied the Australian judiciary (here is a chronology of the most important events since mid-November).

Almost a week ago, a court in Melbourne upheld Djokovic’s objection and allowed him to enter the country – because of a formal error by the authorities. They had given him too little time to comment on the visa cancellation. The Serb then continued preparing for the first Grand Slam tournament of the season. On Friday, Australia’s Immigration Minister Alex Hawke then declared Djokovic’s visa invalid again in a personal decision. This was well justified and “in the public interest,” said the minister.

A possible “mistake” when entering the country can result in imprisonment for up to twelve months

In between it was also still too diverse further irritations about entry. Djokovic admitted mistakes in dealing with his positive test result on Wednesday. He admitted during an interview with the French sports newspaper L’Equipe already knew about his positive test result on December 18 and still did not cancel the appointment. In addition, his immigration form incorrectly stated that he had not traveled in the 14 days prior to his flight to Australia. However, recordings on social media show Djokovic in a tennis club in Marbella, Spain, around the turn of the year. The world number one spoke of a “human error” by his agent, “which was certainly not intentional”.

The wrong tick on an entry permit is considered a “serious offense” on the continent, according to the fine print. It can be punished with up to twelve months imprisonment. The Spanish police are now also interested in the trip to Marbella.

The Djokovic case also caused controversy among his colleagues. Fourth in the world rankings Stefanos Tsitsipas, for example, sharply criticized his colleague for making the majority “look like idiots”. Germany’s best tennis player Alexander Zverev, on the other hand, cautiously took sides with the Serbs: “I don’t think it’s very fair for a person to come here and not be able to play,” said the 24-year-old from Hamburg in Melbourne on Saturday. At the same time, Zverev also expressed understanding for the basic attitude of the Australian government.

Surprised Craig Tiley, on the other hand, remained covered, the Tournament Director of the Australian Open. The head of the largest sporting event in the southern hemisphere had brought the loophole of entry for the unvaccinated into play. His tournament had suffered losses in the millions last year.