Thursday should be decisive for the future of Novak Djokovic. Several Australian media indicate that the trend is for an expulsion from the country by decision of the Minister of Immigration, Alex Hawke. Spain has also reportedly decided to investigate a possible illegal entry of the Serbian into its territory.
Decisive day in perspective for Novak Djokovic on Thursday. And possibly a dark day. The information follows one another in the Australian press reporting an expulsion of the world number one from Australia Thursday therefore by decision of the Minister of Immigration, Alex Hawke. The latter has a discretionary power which allows him to revoke the decision of Judge Anthony Kelly of the Federal Circuit Court who had annulled… the cancellation of the Serbian’s visa by the border authorities.
Earlier this Wednesday, the Herald Sun, relying on a source from the Australian executive, had indicated that the Australian government was leaning towards the expulsion of the Serbian from the country. Very early this Thursday morning in Australia, it was political journalist Paul Bongiorno who also went in this direction by tweeting: “I hear that Alex Hawke is going to release the Joker (Djokovic’s nickname) tomorrow (this Thursday)” .
Spanish government is also reportedly investigating Djokovic
Australia wouldn’t be the only country that has Djokovic in its sights. Spain, the country through which the Serbian passed before his flight to Australia, would also launch an investigation into the world number one on the conditions of his entry on Spanish soil.
According to COPE radio, the Spanish government is investigating whether Djokovic, who is unvaccinated as he told Australian border police, could have entered Spain illegally. “Since December 20, Serbian citizens need a vaccination certificate or a special exemption to enter Spanish territory, but so far the authorities say they have not received any request from Djokovic,” said journalist Gaspar Ribeiro Lanca.
Several video posts from the Soto Tennis Academy, based in Sotogrande, Spain, show Djokovic training there in late December and early January. Djokovic was also seen on January 4 in Marbella training with Australian Open balls. But the Serb could also be considered a Spanish resident, he who acquired a house in Marbella in 2020.