Showdown in Melbourne: Djokovic expects clarity after days of hanging out
The Novak Djokovic case moves the whole world. On Monday, a court in Melbourne will make a decision on whether the 20-time Grand Slam winner will be allowed to stay in Melbourne.
by SID / tennisnet
last edit: Jan 09, 2022, 07:44 pm
Showdown in Melbourne, the world public looks at Anthony Kelly. The judge of the "Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia" will decide on Monday in the sensational Novak Djokovic case on the fate of the world number one tennis player. Kelly could announce his verdict on the morning of German time.
Is the apparently unvaccinated Serbian top star allowed to stay in Australia after days of wrestling with the border protection authorities and play the first Grand Slam tournament of the year? Or does his record hunt down under end before he can even pick up the bat? It is already clear that there are numerous losers in the cause, which can be extended by means of an objection.
Boris Becker on Djokovic: "Mount Everest he has to climb"
Djokovic, who has been staying in accommodation for people obliged to leave the country for days, is one of them. The understanding of his colleagues and opponents like Rafael Nadal is limited, and his sporting chances - if he is surprisingly still allowed to compete - are likely to have decreased significantly. "He cannot prepare at the moment, just sits in the hotel room. The Australian audience will certainly not receive him in a very friendly manner," said his ex-trainer Boris Becker of the picture : "This is Mount Everest that he would have to climb there. Yes if anyone manages the impossible, it is Djokovic. "
Had the 34-year-old been fully vaccinated and not insisted on a medical exemption to enter the country, the political issue would not have come about in which Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic clearly sided with the folk hero and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison advocated equality referred to the law. However, the developments on Sunday also showed that the Australian authorities apparently acted anything but stringent.
At least that is what new statements from Craig Tiley, the tournament director of the Australian Open, who is also under pressure, suggest. The organizers had come into conflict of competencies between the state of Victoria and the federal authorities of Australia when issuing medical exemptions. There was "a lot of contradicting information".
Speaking to The Age and Sydney Morning Herald , the 60-year-old pointed out that he had twice asked federal authorities in November to review the individual cases to ensure they would be accepted by federal officials at the border. "They refused," said Tiley, who is still hoping Djokovic can defend his title in Melbourne.
Djokovic side at 12 a.m., Australia speaks at 5 a.m. CET
The longtime tour dominator, who caused a sensation with his tendency towards esotericism and comments critical of the vaccination, could become the sole Grand Slam record champion with a triumph in Melbourne. The first big step in this direction would be a victory for his lawyers, with which he could leave the unadorned Park Hotel in the direction of the Rod-Laver-Arena.
In its argumentation, the Djokovic side relies on a corona infection found on December 16, which entitles them to an exemption and thus entry. However, doubts and reports quickly emerged that Djokovic showed at events, at least partially without a mask, on the days after the alleged illness. The Djokovic side should take a position in court at 10 a.m. local time (0.00 a.m. CET).
Judge Kelly is facing a verdict that will occupy the world public for even longer. In a first decision, he rejected a request from the Australian government to postpone the hearing. According to the plan, the representatives of the Ministry of the Interior have to express their views on the case of "Djokovic against the border guards" at 3 pm (5 am CET).
The trial is streamed live here: https://www.fcfcoa.gov.au/gfl/courtlists/vic/melbourne