Tennis world number one Novak Djokovic was returned to administrative detention on Saturday January 15 in Melbourne after the cancellation of his visa for the second time by the Australian government, which maintains that the player not vaccinated against Covid-19 constitutes a public danger.
Read alsoNovak Djokovic, an endless fiasco
This new episode in a saga that began on January 5, when Djokovic was turned away upon his arrival in Melbourne, makes it increasingly unlikely that the 34-year-old Serb will participate in the Australian Open, which starts on Monday. . Djokovic is seeking a 10th victory in this tournament, which would be a record 21st Grand Slam title.
On Saturday, Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal lashed out at his rival, saying "
the Australian Open is far more important than any player
", while saying he "
disagrees with a lot of things he's been up to for the past two weeks
.
A few hours earlier, Immigration Minister Alex Hawke had estimated in a document presented to the courts that Djokovic's presence in Australia "
could encourage anti-vaccination sentiment
" and "
trigger an upsurge in civil unrest
".
Read alsoNovak Djokovic: a tennis legend on the edge of the precipice
According to court documents, Novak Djokovic, who had been summoned in the morning by the immigration services, was on Saturday in a detention center in Melbourne awaiting a judicial decision on his case.
Referral hearings are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday in federal court, and authorities said Friday night that they would not expel the tennis player from Australia until the judges have ruled.
The player is only authorized to leave the detention center to follow, online, the legal hearings concerning him from the offices of his lawyers, and under the surveillance of border police officers.
This is the second time the Australian government has attempted to oust Djokovic from the country.
"
Nole
", a notorious vaccine-skeptic, who contracted Covid-19 in December, had hoped for an exemption to enter the country without being vaccinated, but the authorities did not accept this explanation.
SEE ALSO -
Australia again cancels Novak Djokovic's visa, a judge calls an emergency hearing
The Australian government suffered a humiliating setback on January 10 when a judge blocked Djokovic's deportation, reinstated his visa and ordered his immediate release.
The Serb was then able to resume his training for the Australian Open.
Finally, the Minister of Immigration canceled his visa again on Friday January 14 under his discretionary power and "
on health and public order grounds
", a measure difficult to challenge in court.
“
Health risk
”
In his pleadings filed in court on Saturday, the minister argued that Djokovic's presence in the country "
is likely to pose a health risk to the Australian community
", as he says it encourages anti-vaccination sentiment and could deter Australians. to get their booster shots, as the Omicron variant continues to spread at high speed.
Read alsoDjokovic case: “How can we achieve such stubbornness?”
While admitting that the risk of Djokovic infecting Australians himself is “
negligible
”, the minister considered that his past “
contempt
” of health rules against Covid constitutes a bad example, and therefore a risk for public health. The minister "
does not cite any evidence
" in support of his arguments, retorted the player's lawyers.
In a statement posted on social media on Wednesday, Djokovic admitted to having incorrectly completed his declaration of entry into Australia, and not having respected the rules of isolation after having tested positive for Covid in December.
The champion, seen in Serbia and Spain in the two weeks before his arrival, contrary to what he declared in the immigration form upon his arrival, pleaded "
human error
".
SEE ALSO -
Novak Djokovic is training at the Australian Open site, but his participation is still uncertain
Dreams of a 10th title in Melbourne are all the more distant as this visa cancellation, if confirmed by justice, implies that Djokovic will be banned from entering the country for three years, except in exceptional circumstances.
This twisty soap opera around the tennis champion takes place in a country whose inhabitants have endured for almost two years some of the strictest anti-Covid restrictions in the world, and where elections are scheduled for May.
Hence a charged political context.
Pressure has intensified around Conservative Prime Minister Scott Morrison, accused of "
incompetence
" by the Labor opposition.
Read alsoNovak Djokovic: a tennis legend on the edge of the precipice
The saga is also followed assiduously in Serbia, where politicians erect the star as a national hero.
On Friday, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic backed the player again, accusing Australia of "
mistreating
" him.
SEE ALSO -
Tennis: Serbian President accuses Australian Prime Minister of "mistreating" Djokovic