‘Novak Djokovic visa situation is confusing and regretful,’ says top ten star
Andrey Rublev has described the ongoing situation surrounding Novak Djokovic and his Australian visa as ‘confusing.’
Djokovic is currently due to play the Australian Open next week, although media sources in the country claim the government are strongly leaning towards cancelling his visa on Friday.
That visa has already been cancelled once by Australian Border Force officials, only for it to be reinstated by a judge based on procedural anomalies.
Rublev, though, appears to be siding with the Australian government in his reading of the situation, not his ATP Tour colleague.
“I had no problem entering the country as I’m vaccinated,” Rublev told TASS when asked about Novak Djokovic and his troubles with Australian immigration.
“The situation with Novak is very confusing. We don’t know all the details.
“Personal agreements do not give an athlete the right to cross the border, the law of the country is the law.
“None of us would want to get into such a situation. In can only shrug my shoulders and regret that instead of tennis, everyone is discussing these things.”
The draw has already been made for the Australian Open with Djokovic in it, but if he is ejected from the country before the order of play is revealed it will be Rublev, as the fifth seed, who is moved into the Serbian’s spot.
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