Bad evening for Novak Djokovic. After being threatened with deportation to Australia for the Open, the Serbian was granted a stay on the cancellation of his visa until Monday, and will have to remain in quarantine in Melbourne until then.
In the early hours of Thursday morning in Australia, Djokovic was refused entry into the country after his visa was canceled by border force officers at Melbourne airport.
The 34-year-old tennis player has challenged the Australian Border Force’s refusal to grant him a visa to enter the country and his appeal has now been adjourned until 10 a.m. in Melbourne, court officials have confirmed.
After Australian border forces confirmed that Djokovic’s visa had been revoked, the Serbian’s request for an injunction against the visa cancellation was initially filed for a 4 p.m. (0500 GMT) hearing before the Federal Circuit and Family Court. , according to court documents.
The hearing was then adjourned until 6:00 p.m. (07:00 GMT) and now until 10:00 a.m. Monday (11:00 p.m. Sunday GMT).
The record nine-time Australian Open champion has been told by the Federal Court of Australia that he can stay in Melbourne until his appeal is resumed.
On Tuesday, the world number 1 announced he was traveling to Australia on an ‘exemption clearance’ but after landing in Melbourne on Wednesday evening he was placed in isolation after attempting to enter the country with a visa that does not allow medical exemptions to be unvaccinated against Covid-19.
After being held for several hours at the airport, during which time he was placed in solitary confinement in a room monitored by the police, the Serbian’s visa was canceled in Australia.
Separately, Rafael Nadal reacted strongly to the affair, saying he was sorry that Novak Djokovic had been refused entry to Australia, but added that the Serb had known for months that he could potentially face problems in his life. ‘he arrived without being vaccinated against the coronavirus.
Indeed, the Spaniard did not spare his rival, putting him face to face with his responsibilities. “I believe in science and when I’m told to get the vaccine, I do. The world has suffered enough. If he wanted, he would play here in Australia with no problem, he said. He makes his own decisions. Of course, everyone is free to choose, but there are consequences, aren’t there? ”.
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