Djokovic investigated by Australian Border Force – latest news

The Djokovic family took part in a press conference on Monday where they shared their feelings about the situation and celebrated Djokovic’s appeal win.

His father, Srdan, said it was a victory for freedom of speech: “He fought for freedom of thoughts, freedom of speech. It’s been very, very difficult for us, as for everyone in the world who is free-thinking. But he is extremely strong, a fantastic young man who always tries to help, never to harm.”

Novak Djokovic’s father has called on Queen Elizabeth to intervene in his son Novak Djokovic’s visa drama in Australia.

While Djokovic’s father has also labelled Prime Minister Scott Morrison a “dictator”.

“Autocracy has shown its true face today. Contrary to the decision of the independent court of Australia, dictator Scott ordered the arrest of my son, your world champion, Novak Djokovic, and deportation, banning him from entering the country for three long years,” Srđan Đoković said. “The court showed that law exists in Australia, but Scott dared to take justice into his own hands.

“I call on the Queen of Britain, Elizabeth, the leader of the Commonwealth, to intervene and protect the human rights of my son Novak Djokovic and to stop the political prosecution that has been carried out against him since he came to Australia,” Mr Djokovic said. “I call on all Australians and the whole world to raise their voice against terror, and the brutal human rights violations of the world’s best tennis player.

“Australia has become a dystopia, a mockery of the free world, they treat Novak Djokovic, my son, your world champion, as a political prisoner. As a terrorist in Guantanamo Bay. They deprive him of the right to play, to individuality, to freedom of opinion,” he said. “But I publicly claim: Political beasts will not break it! The whole world can now see a fake democracy led by one Scott.

“Novak is treated by the Australian government as an enemy of the state, not the best tennis player in the world who has always helped Australia with his donations in philanthropy. He is treated by ethnic racists as a lower-class citizen,” he said. “The truth has come to light, Australia is run by political criminals who do not respect individual rights or court decisions. They do not respect the decisions of their court, they do not respect their legal system.

“As of today, Australia is a banana republic and my son took the cross to go down in history as Spartacus standing on the last line of defence of freedom.

“I call on all non-governmental organisations around the world and all people of good will who believe in justice and democracy, as well as the Queen of Great Britain, to get involved and protect Novak Djokovic from the torture against him.”

Rafael Nadal has spoken about Djokovic’s appeal win and says “justice has spoken”.

The world no. 1 won his fight to stay in Australia but more government intervention could come in days. Nadal told Spanish radio station Onda Cero: “Whether or not I agree with Djokovic on some things, justice has spoken and has said that he has the right to participate in the Australian Open and I think it is the fairest decision to do so, if it has been resolved that way.

“I wish him the best of luck. On a personal level, I’d much rather he didn’t play!”

The appeal win on Monday has put the Australian government in a tricky situation. Immigration minister Alex Hawke can still deport Djokovic by re-cancelling his visa but the weight of the situation is reflected in how long he is taking to consider it.

A decision is expected on Wednesday with Djokovic continuing his preparations for the Australian Open in the meantime.

Read below for a full piece on what this could mean for the country’s government:

Djokovic has continued his preparations for the Australian Open, which starts on 17 January, by getting back on court after winning his appeal.

However, it’s been reported he wasn’t welcomed with open arms by other players. It’s said to have been “uncomfortable” when he arrived. He is getting support from some stars though as Venus Williams commented on his Instagram post yesterday saying “win it all”.

Nick Kyrgios admits he is “embarrassed” to be an Australian athlete after the Novak Djokovic visa debacle.

The controversial Australian player is currently recovering from Covid, which jeopardises his participation at the Australian Open, having withdrawn from the Sydney Tennis Classic in the wake of a positive test.

“We know that the media like to create shit-storms, with my story and everything going on with Novak,” Kyrgios said. “I feel quite embarrassed as an Australian athlete who’s seen what this guy has done for us and for the sport. I just don’t think it’s right how we’re handling it, but the media loves to do that, loves to divide.”

While Kyrgios feels optimistic about his participation next week at Melbourne Park.

“I actually don’t feel too bad at the moment and I’m taking all necessary precautions,” he said. “Obviously not ideal a week out of the Aus Open, but I’m going to do everything in my power to feel OK and get out there and hopefully give you all a show.

“I just don’t want this to take away from the Australian summer of tennis. We’ve had a lot of great results, a lot of other Aussies are doing really well.”

Australia’s immigration minister Alex Hawke is deciding whether or not to deport Djokovic after he won his appeal yesterday.

The Age are reporting former immigration minister for New Zealand, Sir Kerry Burke, believes he should re-cancel his visa.

In a letter, Burke wrote: “If the law requires everybody entering Australia to have two COVID-19 vaccinations, with appropriate time separation between the first and the second and, if Djokovic cannot meet this test, then his attempt to stay in Australia must fail. That will be Minister Hawke’s call and it should be made.

“I understand Tennis Australia’s desire to have this superstar playing in Melbourne, but the absurdity of every spectator needing to be double-vaccinated in order to watch a non-vaccinated player perform is insulting to millions who followed the rules through trying times and would make your great country a laughing stock.

“Minister Hawke should cancel the visa. His authority is clear.”

Novak Djokovic has been on court at Melbourne Park today as he steps up his preparation for the Australian Open.

After several days in a hotel waiting for his appeal to quash an order for deportation, Djokovic has moved quickly to shake off any rust ahead of next week’s Grand Slam.

Djokovic says he tested positive for Covid on 16 December which is how he got his medical exemption to enter Australia for the Open.

However, once this news was made public many pointed out he attended an event and took photos with fans on the 17 December. When his family were asked about the situation on Monday they quickly shut down their press conference and didn’t answer. The star himself is yet to comment on it.

So did he break any rules? Here’s the full story:

A lot has happened over the last few days concerning Djokovic’s visa in Australia. We are waiting on a decision from immigration minister Alex Hawke as to if he is going to re-cancel the tennis star’s visa.

While he decides, Djokovic is back on court preparing for the Australian Open on 17 January.

But has happened before this point? Here’s a timeline of events: