Australian Open
Djokovic is training earlier than planned – and is still waiting for a visa decision
Tennis star Novak Djokovic hits a backhand during a training session ahead of the 2022 Australian Open at Melbourne Park
© Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
Can Novak Djokovic still defend his title at the Australian Open? Four days after the success in court, the Serbian tennis star is still waiting for a decision on his visa.
Four days after the court success, Novak Djokovic is still awaiting a decision on his visa to Australia and the opportunity to defend the title at the Australian Open. Even on Friday afternoon local time in Melbourne, Immigration Minister Alex Hawke had not yet given any signal as to whether he would use his personal right to invalidate the 34-year-old Serb’s visa because he was not vaccinated against the corona virus. Meanwhile, the number one in the world rankings trained early in the day instead of in the afternoon as originally planned.
Djokovic visa could be invalidated
Hawke gets pressure from Australian politics for the long hesitation. “Alex Hawke, where are you? Missing?” Senator Jacqui Lambie asked on Friday, according to the Australian news agency AAP. “If you can’t make a decision about Novak Djokovic, my goodness, how do you people rule the country? It’s an absolute mess.” She further said Djokovic should be sent packing if he broke the rules. Hawke continues to have no comment. Australian journalists report that people around him say there is a tendency to invalidate Djokovic’s visa – but until the afternoon it was nothing more than rumours.
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Most of the Australians are against Djokovic
After the fiasco for the government in the first court case, when Djokovic had to be handed his visa again due to a formal error, the minister apparently wants to make a decision this time that will withstand the objections that Djokovic’s lawyers are sure to expect in the event of renewed expulsion . The pressure on Hawke is great from many sides. With the exception of the Serbian community, the mood in Australia is clearly against Djokovic. Many Australians have experienced a lot of deprivation in the almost two years of the pandemic.
Kerber is reluctant to comment on the Djokovic case
Germany’s best tennis player Angelique Kerber has, however, cautiously commented on the entry annoyance of Serbian world number one Novak Djokovic. “Rules are rules that apply to everyone, whether you’re number one or a qualifier,” said the 33-year-old from Kiel in Melbourne on Friday and expressed understanding for Australians who want Djokovic to leave: “I understand the people here definitely. They’ve really had a tough time over the past two years.”