Djokovic turn: Now everything is open again

Created: 01/15/2022 06:07

By: Patrick Huljina, Tom Offinger

Australia has canceled tennis superstar Novak Djokovic's visa.

© James Ross/dpa

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

The Minister of Immigration has declared the visa invalid.

All information in our news ticker.

• The Australian Open will start in Melbourne on Monday (January 17).

• The entry anger about tennis superstar Novak Djokovic now seems clear

  (see update from January 14, 8:05 a.m.)

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• A court decision should not be made until Sunday

  (see update from January 14, 12:13 p.m.)

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• This news ticker is continuously updated.

Update from January 14, 1:45 p.m .:

If Novak Djokovic is successful with his announced objection to the renewed cancellation of his visa for Australia on Sunday, he would hardly have time to catch his breath.

The world number one would have to play his first round match at the first Grand Slam tournament of the year against his compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic on Monday.

As the organizer announced on Friday, the first half of the seeding list for men and women will play their games on Monday.

Defending champion Djokovic is seeded number one.

Decision on Djokovic case probably on Sunday

Update from January 14, 12:13 p.m .:

As expected, tennis star Novak Djokovic will appeal against the visa that has been withdrawn again by the Australian authorities to prevent expulsion.

This was confirmed by his lawyer Nick Wood in a short-term online hearing in Melbourne late Wednesday evening (local time).

On Saturday morning (8:00 a.m. local time/Friday, 10:00 p.m. CET) Djokovic is scheduled to appear before the immigration authorities for questioning.

Until then, the government intends to refrain from arresting the Serb again.

A court decision in the case is expected to be made on Sunday.

Australian Open: Djokovic's lawyer wants to appeal

Update from January 14, 11:45 a.m .:

Tennis star Novak Djokovic wants to appeal against the renewed cancellation of his visa for Australia. This was announced by his lawyer Nicholas Wood at a court hearing in Melbourne. The Djokovic side wants to submit the application later in the evening so as not to lose any time. "Every minute before Monday's tournament starts is precious," Wood said at the hearing before Justice Anthony Kelly.

Update from January 14, 11:05 a.m .:

Is there another turnaround in the Novak Djokovic case? The tennis star's visa has again been withdrawn by the Australian authorities, as Immigration Minister Alex Hawke announced on Friday. But for 8.45 p.m. local time (10.45 a.m. CET) a hearing in court in Melbourne was scheduled at short notice. This was announced by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia via Twitter.

Update from January 14, 9:32 a.m .:

 Novak Djokovic is resisting the Australian government's decision to cancel his visa. His lawyers are already working on an injunction, according to 

newspaper  . For this reason, it is currently unlikely that the tennis star will have to leave the country immediately and, in the worst case, will be banned from entering the country for three years. Even participation in the tournament is currently still possible - it depends on how quickly the case is negotiated. The verdict could be confirmed in a possible urgent procedure until Sunday. Should negotiations take place later, it is also conceivable that the tournament organizers will exclude Djokovic in order to avoid scheduling chaos.

The Serb must be "immediately re-arrested" after Immigration Secretary Alex Hawke canceled his visa, former Immigration Deputy Assistant Secretary Abul Rizvi told 

. Rizvi continues: “But he can be released from prison with a bridging visa. From a legal point of view, however, he must first be taken into custody at the time the visa is canceled.”

Update from January 14th, 8.05 a.m .:

Well then. The Australian government has again canceled the entry visa for Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic. Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke has declared the Serbian tennis pro's visa invalid in a personal decision. This was well justified and "in the public interest," said the minister on Friday. 

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.

Djokovic has been training normally since then and preparing for the Australian Open. 

The world number one can challenge the decision in court and lodge further appeals.

Djokovic's participation in the Australian Open, which begins on Monday, has not yet been ruled out, but has become unlikely.

Djokovic thriller: Angelique Kerber comments

Update from January 14, 7.38 a.m .:

Germany's best tennis player Angelique Kerber has cautiously commented on the entry drama surrounding Novak Djokovic. "Rules are rules that apply to everyone, whether you're number one or a qualifier," said the 33-year-old from Kiel on Friday in Melbourne. She expressed understanding for Australians who want Djokovic to leave: "I definitely understand the people here. They've really had a tough time over the last two years."

The Australian Open starts on Monday.

It is still unclear whether Immigration Secretary Alex Hawke will exercise his right to invalidate Djokovic's visa.

"I'm curious myself what will happen in the end," said Kerber.

"Who doesn't follow this?

I think the whole world is following this right now.

I also hope that there will soon be nice and positive news about sport again," said the 33-year-old.

Novak Djokovic was in a good mood during training before the Australian Open.

© Paul Zimmer/IMAGO

Novak Djokovic: Status before Australian Open still unclear

First report:

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.

Djokovic thriller: Australia's government fears "dangerous precedent"

Australian Immigration Secretary Alex Hawke has yet to make a final decision, but the government fears it would set a "dangerous precedent" if Djokovic were allowed to remain 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.