Djokovic trains as Australian Open dream hangs in balance: Doubts have emerged over the accuracy of Djokovic's travel declaration, reportedly filled out before he flew in from Spain.
Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic trained at the Australian Open venue Tuesday in search of a record 21st Grand Slam but his dream hung in the balance as the government pondered cancelling his visa, again.
Wearing a t-shirt and shorts, he limbered up in a gym on Tuesday accompanied by coach Goran Ivanisevic before heading to centre court, AFP journalists saw.Djokovic, a nine-time Australian Open champion, jetted into the country six days ago carrying a medical exemption from vaccination due to a positive coronavirus test on December 16 last year.
The limited number of foreigners allowed into Australia must be fully vaccinated or have a medical exemption.Federal circuit court judge Anthony Kelly dramatically reversed the visa decision Monday, ordering the cancellation be “quashed”, that the player be released immediately and that the government pay his legal costs.
“Truth and justice came to the light. I would like to thank the justice system of Australia,” said his brother Djordje. “He will cop a fair bit of abuse, I reckon, when he plays just from the fans in general, but I hope a few people get behind him,” he said. The ATP, which runs the men’s tennis tour, said the affair leading up to the court case had been “damaging on all fronts, including for Novak’s well-being and preparation for the Australian Open”.Rafael Nadal, one of Djokovic’s main rivals for the title, said “it is the fairest thing” for the Serbian to play in the Australian Open.
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