Novak Djokovic has broken his silence for the first time since winning a legal battle to overturn the decision to cancel his visa.
The world No.1 has said in a statement on social media that he is ‘pleased and grateful’ that the judge has overturned the ruling. Djokovic resided at the Park Hotel, which is a quarantine facility in Melbourne, after the Australian Border Force concluded that his evidence to obtain a visa was insufficient. Following an appeal to the court, it was concluded that the ABF didn’t give Djokovic enough time to respond after they notified him that his visa was cancelled. Leading to his Visa cancellation to be reversed.
In his first public statement since the fiasco, Djokovic has uploaded a photo of him at the Rod Laver Arena with his team and has vowed to play in next week’s Australian Open. He is bidding to win a record 21st major title and his 10th in Melbourne alone.
“I’m pleased and grateful that the Judge overturned my visa cancellation. Despite all that has happened,I want to stay and try to compete at the Australian Open,” Djokovic wrote.
“I remain focused on that. I flew here to play at one of the most important events we have in front of the amazing fans.”
At the same time as his announcement, Djokovic’s family was conducting a press conference in Belgrade where they made a series of accusations against Australian officials. Djordje Djokovic, who is Novak’s brother, stated that it is Djokovic’s intention to win the tournament.
“Novak is free. A few minutes ago, he trained on a tennis court. He came to Australia to play tennis, to try and win another Australian Open,” he said in Serbian.
“He has been branded in different ways for many years and he has always supported freedom of choice.”
Reacting to the decision to release her son from the Park Hotel, his mother Dijana hailed it as the ‘biggest win of his career.’ She said that at one stage she didn’t know Djokovic’s status and was worried about his welfare.
“I want to thank everyone in the world who stood up and supported him in Melbourne in front of that so-called hotel,” said Dijana Djokovic.
“This is his biggest win in his career, it is bigger than any Grand Slam.”
He has done nothing wrong, he hasn’t broken any of their laws. He has been subject to harassment.
“He fought against the system and the government because he had the right to be there.
“Never before have we faced a situation like this,” she adds.
The ongoing situation started when Djokovic requested a medical exemption to play at the Australian Open on the grounds that he had contracted COVID-19 within the past six months. He has not been vaccinated against the virus which is one of the requirements to play at the Grand Slam unless a player is exempt from doing so. Two independent panels granted the pass to Djokovic.
As for his stance on the vaccine, Djorde defended his right to choose.
“Novak has been called many names around the world but Novak is only fighting for the liberty of choice,” he said.
The 34-year-old is also under scrutiny about the events around the time he tested positive for COVID-19. According to legal documents he was tested and diagnosed with the virus on December 16th. However, he still attended an event with children on the 17th and appeared in a photo shoot for L’Equipe on the 18th.
When Djokovic’s family was questioned about events on December 17th, the press conference came to an abrupt halt without any prior warning.
Journalist: Was he at an event on the 17th?
Djordje: Ok, this press conference is adjourned at the moment.
Christopher Tan is the lawyer acting on behalf of the government. He has said that Immigration Minister Alex Hawke could now consider whether to exercise ministerial intervention and re-cancel the visa. It is understood that Hawke is currently assessing what decision to make.
