Novak Djokovic has been named the number one seed for next week’s Australian Open despite the fact Prime Minister Scott Morrison has tonight made clear he could still be deported.
The first real event of the Open – the draw – was abruptly postponed just as it was meant to start at 3pm on Thursday afternoon.
That sparked rampant speculation Mr Morrison was about to announce Djokovic’s visa was being cancelled at a media conference following a national cabinet meeting.
But minutes later, Mr Morrison told reporters in Canberra that investigations into Djokovic’s visit to Australia were still ongoing.
‘These are personal ministerial powers able to be exercised by (Immigration) Minister Alex Hawke and I don’t propose to make any further comment at this time,’ Mr Morrison said.
He referred reporters to a statement Mr Hawke made earlier in the week where the minister said he was sifting through a mountain of evidence from Djokovic’s lawyers, who are desperately fighting for him to stay in the country for the grand slam.
After the PM’s comments, the Open announced that Djokovic will face Serbian compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic in the first round of the tournament – barring any late interjection from the federal government.
Prime Mininster Scott Morrison said the federal government are yet to make a decision on deporting tennis champion Novak Djokovic
The world no. 1 appeared stress as his deportation decision looms, stretching his neck as he walked across the court during practice on Thursday
In a statement, Mr Hawke’s office said they were looking over further information provided by Djokovic’s legal team to reinforce his eligiblity for his current visa.
‘Mr Djokovic’s lawyers have recently provided lengthy further submissions and supporting documentation said to be relevant to the possible cancellation of Mr Djokovic’s visa,’ they said.
‘Naturally, this will affect the time frame for a decision.’
Mr Morrison was asked by a reporter on Thursday afternoon hypothetically if someone were to attempt to enter Australia unvaccinated whether they would be determined as a health risk to the public.
‘All I will simply say is the reason we have had since 15 December where fully vaccinated eligible visa holders could travel to Australia without needing to apply for a travel exemption and enter those states allowing them to enter quarantine free, the individual has to show they are double vaccinated or must provide acceptable proof that they can’t be vaccinated for medical reasons,’ he replied.
‘That’s the policy which hasn’t changed. That is the policy and we would expect authorities to be implementing the policy of the government when it comes to those matters.
‘That relates to people who are coming to Australia. These are non-citizens, non-residents.
‘If you’re not a citizen or resident, the health rules we have in place to protect our borders and our border protection policies have been central to the government’s achievements when it comes and Australia’s achievements generally inhabit one of the lowest death rates, strongest economies and highest vaccination rate in the country.’
Meanwhile, the Australian Open draw was mysteriously delayed without explanation this afternoon.
The draw was set to be held at Melbourne Park at 3pm on Thursday afternoon, but as it was due to kick off, officials announced the selection event had been cancelled. No reason was given for the move.
Following Mr Morrison’s press conference, Australian Open officials released the draw for the competition, naming the nine-time winner the number one seed.
The men’s tennis champion wiped off sweat with a white towel as he sat on the side of the court
The Serbian tennis star is now under investigation by three countries amid his Australian visa scandal
In winning his court case earlier this week, Federal Circuit Court Judge Anthony Kelly said Djokovic was given insufficient time to speak to Tennis Australia officials and for lawyers to respond on being told of the intent to cancel his visa.
A decision is expected by Mr Hawke on Thursday after his office said additional information provided by Djokovic’s legal team had created further delays.
It’s unclear whether there are other legal avenues that Djokovic can pursue if he fails in his bid to remain in the country.
The nine-time titleholder used a recent Covid infection to gain a medical exemption, but was denied entry by Australian Border Force officials and sent to a detention hotel.
Djokovic then admitted in a statement on Wednesday he had provided false information on his travel declaration and blamed his agent for the error.
Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic pictured at a booth of the Australian Border Force at the airport in Melbourne on January 5
Immigration Minister Alex Hawke is ruminating over whether the tennis player should be permitted to stay or deported
He said he didn’t attend any public events after testing positive but revealed he had conducted a media interview in Serbia while knowingly infected, which he described as an ‘error of judgement’.
Djokovic has tried to keep it business as usual in his build-up to the Open, where he will bid for a record 21st grand slam title.
The elite tennis player is also under investigation by Spain and Serbia over the visa scandal amid concerns of possible Covid and travel breaches.
The Spanish government is now reportedly looking into whether the Serbian tennis star entered the country illegally, prior to his flight to Melbourne.
Djokovic travelled from Serbia to Marbella, Spain on December 31 and was believed to still be training in the Spanish city as of January 4.
He flew to Australia the following day.
Now Spanish police and immigrations authorities are investigating Djokovic as it’s understood he did not request special permission from the Spanish Embassy or Ministry of Foreign Affairs to enter the country unvaccinated.
As of last September, visiting Serbians must show proof of vaccination or an exemption to enter Spanish territory – but authorities claim the world No.1 didn’t provide either of these.
Djokovic is already facing deportation in Australia for travelling to the country while unvaccinated, and Serbian authorities are probing the athlete after he admitted failing to isolate after catching Covid.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said on Tuesday that he didn’t have any record of Djokovic travelling to Spain before heading to Australia.
‘I have no record of this presence of Djokovic,’ he said.
The Australian government is expected to make an announcement on Thursday if Djokovic will be deported
‘We have not been contacted by the Australian government to request such documentation.’
However, Djokovic may be off the hook if he’s considered a resident of Spain, having bought a house in Marbella in 2020.
The athlete has already apologised for marking on his Australian visa application that he had not travelled to any other countries in the 14 days before arriving in Melbourne.
‘This was submitted by my support team on my behalf – as I told immigration officials on my arrival – and my agent sincerely apologises for the administrative mistake in ticking the incorrect box about my previous travel before coming to Australia,’ Djokovic said in a statement on Wednesday.