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Novak Djoković
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According to his brother Djordje, tennis star Novak Djokovic is currently advising his lawyers on how to proceed after a court in Melbourne lifted the refusal of entry on Monday. Djordje Djoković told the Serbian TV channel TV Prva that he was in his lawyers' office. "He's currently going through all the options," said the brother of the 34-year-old world number one. "It was a big defeat for the Australian government and they are having a hard time with it."
An Australian court had previously granted Djoković's objection.
The decision as to whether Djoković will actually be allowed to participate in the Australian Open next week is dragging on.
According to information from the Australian newspaper "The Age", Immigration Minister Alex Hawke will no longer decide on Monday whether he will exercise his personal right to revoke the Serbian tennis star's visa.
However, Hawke can still do this for the next few days.
First of all, Djoković is allowed to move freely in Melbourne after a court upheld his objection to the refusal of his entry to Australia on Monday.
Djoković was then allowed to leave the deportation hotel where he had been for the past few days.
Serbian reports that Djoković had been taken back into custody by the police after leaving the deportation hotel were not confirmed.
Djoković wants to take part in the Australian Open, which starts next Monday.
He would start as the defending champion at Melbourne Park.
Nadal jokes that he would prefer Djoković not to play
Should Djoković be allowed to participate in the Australian Open, he could meet Rafael Nadal later in the tournament.
Both tennis superstars, like Roger Federer (Switzerland), have won 20 Grand Slam titles.
In Melbourne, Djoković should be given greater chances of being the first professional in history to be successful in a major for the 21st time.
Nadal won a preparatory tournament in Melbourne on Sunday and called the controversy over Djoković a "circus".
On the Spanish radio station »Onda Cero«, Nadal said that personally he would prefer »if he (Djoković) didn't play,« but laughed with his interviewer.
The Spaniard is considered a vaccine proponent.
"Regardless of whether I agree with Djoković on some things or not, the judiciary has spoken and said that he has the right to participate in the Australian Open," Nadal said.
Therefore, it is the "fairest decision" if Djoković is allowed to play.
Nadal wishes him the best of luck.
krä / dpa / rtr
