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Novak Djoković at the Australian Open 2021
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WILLIAM WEST / AFP
One day before the expected court decision on the possible deportation of tennis star Novak Djoković, the judge dealing with the case rejected a government motion for an adjournment.
Judge Anthony Kelly stated on Sunday that the trial would continue as planned on Monday at 10 a.m. (12 a.m. CET).
The government wanted to postpone the hearing to Wednesday.
The judge refused.
The world number one Djoković, who did not make his vaccination status public and had repeatedly expressed himself critical of corona vaccinations, landed in Melbourne on Wednesday evening after he said he had received a medical exemption from the organizers of the Australian Open for entry.
However, the Australian border guards did not acknowledge this.
Djoković is said to have not been able to prove the conditions necessary for entry.
On Saturday, his lawyers said that the Grand Slam record winner allegedly got infected with the corona virus in mid-December.
The 34-year-old has been staying in a deportation hotel in Melbourne since his failed entry.
His lawyers are fighting for his participation in the Australian Open, which begins on January 17th.
Now a court is dealing with the possible deportation.
Djoković's lawyers want to have the cancellation withdrawn.
Becker regrets Djoković's situation
Meanwhile, Boris Becker has taken the side of his former protégé Djoković.
The fact that he had to stay in a hotel for people obliged to leave the country hurts Becker "in his soul."
The former Wimbledon champion said in the "Bild" newspaper: "Of course, everyone is equal before the law, but he doesn't deserve how he is currently dealt with."
Becker does not believe that Djoković acted negligently.
“He went to Australia in good faith that he had a valid entry permit.
If the papers he received had not been in order, Novak would never have got on the plane.
After all, he's not an idiot. "
mfu / AFP
