Australian Open: Djokovic drawn – but can he also compete?

Status: 01/13/2022 8:10 a.m.

Despite the unclear situation about his visa at the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic was part of the draw on Thursday (January 13th, 2022) and is supposed to play against his compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic in the first round. The Serb broke off the training.

Would meet a compatriot in the first round of the Australian Open: Novak Djokovic.

Image: Dean Lewins / AAP / dpa

It is still unclear whether Djokovic will really be allowed to compete in the first Grand Slam tournament of the year, which starts on Monday. The decision of Australia’s Immigration Minister Alex Hawke to withdraw Djokovic’s visa again was still pending after the draw for the tennis tournament. Even the more than an hour delay with which the event had started did nothing to change that.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Immigration Secretary Hawke is still debating whether to exercise his personal rights and revoke the world’s number one visa. “These are personal ministerial powers that Secretary Hawke can use and I will not comment on them at this time,” said Morrison. It is still not known when, after days of tug-of-war over the Serbian visa, clarity will be achieved.

Djokovic broke off his training on Thursday after just 30 minutes, according to media reports.

The 20-time Grand Slam winner threatens after violating the isolation regulations in his home country of Serbia and one incorrect information in the entry documents continue to miss the Australian Open (from January 17th).

Djokovic was stopped last week on arrival at the airport and taken to a deportation hotel because the border officials did not have the documents for his medical exemption. Because the border officials had not given him the agreed time to clarify, the decision was overturned during a court hearing on Monday.

On Wednesday, Djokovic admitted that he took part in an interview in Serbia in December despite knowing that the corona test was positive. In addition, there is an “unintentional” false declaration on his entry form regarding his travel activities before the flight to Melbourne.

“Safe Event”

In addition, it became known that due to the tense pandemic situation, the audience capacity will be limited to 50 percent of the possible occupancy.

“These changes to the rules for the Australian Open mean fans, players and staff can look forward to a great, safe event,” said Victoria State Minister of Tourism, Jaala Pulford, in a statement.

Source: sportschau.de

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