Novak Djokovic remains in Australia with injunction permission

Novak Djokovic will stay in detention until at least Monday morning when his case fighting deportation will be heard in court. 

The news comes after the world number one’s lawyers secured an injunction that would allow Djokovic to stay in Melbourne until his case returns to the Federal Circuit Court at 10am local time on Monday 10th January.

The nine-time Australian Open champion is being detained after he was unable to provide “appropriate evidence” of an exemption from vaccination to enter Australia.

Djokovic had his visa cancelled and is now at Melbourne’s Park Hotel. Under strict regulations, the 20-time Slam champion cannot practice on court or use a gym to train.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has defended the move to cancel Djokovic’s visa.

“Rules are rules, especially when it comes to our borders,” Morrison tweeted.

“No one is above these rules. Our strong border policies have been critical to Australia having one of the lowest death rates in the world from Covid, we are continuing to be vigilant.”

News of Djokovic’s predicament has received mixed responses from fellow and former pros alike.

Six-time Slam champion Boris Becker said that Djokovic “didn’t break any rules,” while fellow 20-time Major winner Rafael Nadal pointed out that had Djokovic simply gotten vaccinated “he would be playing here in Australia without a problem.”

Monday will be just one week from the start of the Australian Open on 17th January.

Should Djokovic not compete it would end his streak of Australian Opens at 17.

Even if he does come through, the Serb will have just one week to acclimatise to conditions Down Under, putting serious obstacles in the way of his title defence.

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