Australian Open: what's next for Novak Djokovic?

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Novak Djokovic

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MARTIN KEEP / AFP

Tennis world number one Novak Djokovic is scheduled to speak to immigration officials after another visa cancellation in Australia on Sunday.

The ministry is currently in talks with the Serb's lawyers, Australian media reported on Friday evening (local time).

The 34-year-old Djokovic has already been training this week at the tennis facility in Melbourne, where the first Grand Slam tournament of the year begins on Monday.

Australian media also reported that Djoković would not have to be detained pending deportation until after these talks.

Djokovic's visa had previously been invalidated a second time in a personal decision by Immigration Minister Alex Hawke.

This was well justified and "in the public interest," the minister said.

Unvaccinated against the coronavirus, Djoković is a controversial figure in the country that has imposed tough rules since the pandemic began.

So far it is unclear by when another objection by Djoković's side would have to be heard in court so that the top favorite in Melbourne can still start.

That should probably happen this weekend.

According to media reports, a bridging visa is also conceivable.

The Australian Open lasts until January 30th.

Like Rafael Nadal (Spain) and Roger Federer (Switzerland), Djoković has 20 Grand Slam titles and wants to reach for the sole record in Melbourne.

The authorities had already refused Djokovic entry upon arrival last week and classified the documents presented for his TUE as insufficient.

However, because he was not given enough time to react, a judge overturned the entry ban during a court hearing on Monday.

Since then, Djoković has also been preparing for the Australian Open at the tennis facility on the Yarra River.

On Friday, the number one in the world rankings trained earlier in the day instead of in the afternoon as originally planned.

The Rod Laver Arena is his favorite place, and the Serb has often dominated the Australian Open in recent years.

On Thursday, the record winner of the Australian Open, the Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic, was drawn as an opponent for the first round.

The match against his compatriot should be the first step towards his tenth title in Melbourne.

ara/dpa/rtr