ROME. “I want to stay and try to participate in the Australian Open.” Novak Djokovic collects his first success in his battle to return from unvaccinated to chasing the Grand Slam dream. The…
ROME. “I want to stay and try to participate in the Australian Open.” Novak Djokovic collects his first success in his battle to return from unvaccinated to chasing the Grand Slam dream. Australian Federal Court Judge Anthony Kelly ordered his release from the migrant center where he was held, arguing the unreasonableness of the way the border control officer had decided to cancel the tennis player’s visa, not allowing him to fully support your position.
The court’s decision came after days of clashes and controversy over the detention of the sample at Melbourne airport, where the authorities have not recognized the validity of his exemption from immunization against Covid. The last word will be up to the Minister of Immigration of Canberra, Alex Hawke, who in a few hours will have to decide whether to exercise the prerogative that allows him to deny the stay in the country of the number one of the world circuit, forbidding him to return until 3 years. A measure that can be taken if Canberra believes that the athlete’s presence could pose “a risk to the health, safety or public order of the Australian community or any part of it” or to “the health and safety of one or more individuals “.
The tennis player confirmed to the authorities in Australia that he was not vaccinated, but claimed that he still has the right to cross the border as he has recently recovered from Covid. After a first infection in June 2020, Nole reported that he tested positive again on December 16, negativising himself six days later. «I stay focused on tennis. I came here to participate in one of the most important tournaments in front of a fantastic audience “, wrote the Serbian champion on Twitter.” For now – he added – I can only thank all those who supported me and gave me strength “. 15,000 kilometers away, the Serbian’s family gathered the press to claim his right to take the field even without a vaccine. “It was a great defeat for the Australian authorities, and for q,” attacked his brother Djordje in Belgrade.
A week into the tournament, which Djokovic has won nine times and of which he is the reigning champion, uncertainty remains. Meanwhile, Nole is back in training, while his supporters cheered after coming to clash with Australian police at a rally in Melbourne.