After four nights in an Australian immigration detention hotel, Novak Djokovic will get his day in court Monday in a deportation case that has polarized opinions and elicited heartfelt support for the top-ranked tennis star in his native Serbia.
On Sunday, Australian media reported that a federal government bid for extra time to prepare its case against Djokovic was denied. The application, made on behalf of Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews during the weekend, sought to adjourn the final hearing by two days — just five days from the start of the Australian Open.
Djokovic is nine-time Australian Open champion. He has 20 Grand Slam singles title, a men's record he shares with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. It would have been valid to enter the tournament, but it wasn't enough to satisfy the Australian Border Force. On Dec. 14, Djokovic had attended a Euroleague basketball game between Red Star and Barcelona in a packed sports hall in Belgrade. He was photographed hugging several players of both teams, including some who soon later tested positive.
Tennis Australia, which runs the tournament and organizes the logistics for more than 2,000 incoming players, staff and officials, reportedly gave incorrect interpretations to players about the acceptable grounds for an exemption. That included the interpretation that having had a coronavirus infection within the previous six months would qualify. Organizers have blamed the federal government for its mixed messages on the policy.
Doesn't matter he had plenty of opportunity to get vaccinated, he chose not to. Those are the rules. Now GTFO
I hope they let him in, only because the crowd will be so against him that if he does pass Roger and Rafa, he’ll be reminded that he’ll always be third in everyone’s hearts.
Enough with this clown GetVaccinatedPlease
Beller800 Just GetVaccinated DjokerNole, you stubborn goat! ESPN TSN Wimbledon USOpen ptpaplayers AustralianOpen 💉🏸🎾🐐
I’m sure the other detainees aren’t getting equal treatment. Send him home.