Djokovic drama: Expulsion still possible a few days before the Australian Open - the world awaits a decision

Created: 01/14/2022 06:33

By: Tom Offinger

Novak Djokovic still hopes to participate in the Australian Open.

© IMAGO / Paul Zimmer

The tennis thriller about Novak Djokovic is entering the next round.

A few days before the start of the Australian Open, a deportation of the Serb cannot be ruled out.

All information in our news ticker.

Melbourne/Munich - Never before have there been such far-reaching discussions in the run-up to the Australian Open as this year.

World number one Novak Djokovic continues to be heavily criticized for entering the country and his unclear vaccination status, while the Australian government seems to be trying everything possible to somehow prevent the Serb from participating.

After the draw with Djokovic on the seed list was carried out yesterday (January 13), the 34-year-old seems to be getting closer and closer to participating in the first Grand Slam tournament of the year.

However, his current status has not yet been officially clarified. According to several media reports, the Serb's visa could still be declared invalid.

Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke has yet to make a final decision, but the government fears it would set a "dangerous precedent" if Djokovic is allowed to stay in the country.

In order to protect national interests, one is therefore apparently ready and prepared to deport the tennis star, according to a report by the

on Wednesday evening (January 12).

The news also seems to be slowly unnerving Djokovic.

The Serb dropped out of a two-hour training session yesterday, presumably because he was briefed on the latest developments.

Meanwhile, his attorneys are preparing a possible appeal against Hawke's decision.

Meanwhile, there is another corona scandal in the run-up to the Australian Open.