Berlin – Novak Djokovic continued his preparation for the Australian Open on Tuesday, although it is still unclear whether the unvaccinated world number one will really be able to start at the first Grand Slam tournament of the tennis season on Monday. As on Monday, Djokovic trained with his team in the Rod Laver Arena, where he has already triumphed nine times. The 34-year-old Serb is aiming for his tenth Melbourne title this year, which would make him the sole record Grand Slam winner and leave his two great rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal behind.
Djokovic at the top of the seeding list
The organizers around the tournament boss Craig Tiley, who has also come under heavy criticism, also published the seeding list with Djokovic at the top on Tuesday, although one day after the court decision in favor of Djokovic there is still no certainty about his participation. Before a decision by the government around the responsible immigration minister, Alex Hawke, who can still revoke the 34-year-old Serb’s visa, Djokovic was troubled by further details from an immigration form.
As the Australian media reported on Tuesday, a statement in the document is inconsistent with the truth. Contrary to the information, Djokovic had been traveling in the 14 days before the flight to Australia. Photos and videos published in social networks show that the athlete, who lives in Monaco, was training both in his home country of Serbia and in Spain during the period in question before he traveled down under. It was initially unclear whether this had an impact on the decision of Immigration Secretary Hawke or was relevant in this context. Incorrect information on the form is called a serious offense.
Djokovic was refused entry into the country last week because he was not vaccinated against the coronavirus and the documentation of his medical exemption was insufficient for the authorities. That is why he was staying in a deportation hotel in Melbourne at the weekend. Because the border officials had not given him the agreed time to clarify, the decision was overturned during a court hearing on Monday.
The men’s professional tennis organization ATP has now criticized the ambiguities in the entry regulations to Australia. One respects the victims of the Australian population during the corona pandemic and the country’s strict rules, according to a statement published on Tuesday (local time). However, complications in recent days in connection with the entry of players to Australia have shown the need for more clarity and clearer communication and application of the rules.
ATP advocates vaccination
The events that led to the trial of Novak Djokovic’s objection to his visa revoked were detrimental to everyone involved and in particular to the well-being of the world number one and his preparation for the Australian Open. In principle, the ATP advocates vaccination against the corona virus and encourages all players to do so.
On a political level, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his Serbian counterpart Ana Brnabic had a phone call about the case. In it, Morrison explained Australia’s “non-discriminatory” border policy and its role in protecting the country during the corona pandemic, the AAP news agency wrote. According to the Serbian state broadcaster RTS, Brnabic is said to have demanded that Djokovic be treated with dignity.