Organizers of the Australian Open included the Serbian tennis player on Thursday Novak Djokovic in the celebration of draw for the tournament, amidst the uncertainty about the possible deportation of the athlete.
The draw, which started an hour late Following a decision that was not explained by the organization, it took place while the Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke is expected to rule on the Serbian tennis player’s stay in the country. Djokovic arrived in Australia on January 5 – to participate in the tournament – with a medical exemption for not being vaccinated, but customs agents denied him the visa and he was held in a Melbourne hotel while his lawyers appealed to an Australian court , which ordered his release on Monday.
The Serbian and world first classified will face his compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic in the first round. Djokovic seeks to defend his ninth crown achieved on the banks of the Yarra River last edition and become the most successful tennis player of all time if he reaches 21 Grand Slam trophies.
Djokovic’s future at the Australian Open, which takes place between January 17 and 30, is still in suspense until the Australian Immigration Minister decides whether to use his special powers to deport the tennis player for not meeting the requirements imposed by COVID-19 to enter the country.
In some surprising statements, Djokovic admitted on Wednesday that they committed “human errors” in your declaration to enter Australia, by omitting that he had been in Spain before traveling to the oceanic country, and that he attended an interview with a French media in Belgrade despite knowing that he had covid-19. In the event that the Minister of Immigration decides to cancel his visa, for which he does not have a deadline, the player could again appeal the decision to justice.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrsion said today, when asked by journalists, that the decision on the tennis player’s visa rests with the Minister of Immigration and that he preferred not to comment.
The capacity, 50%
The Victorian government decided this Thursday reduce capacity by 50% for the Australian Open that will start this Monday as a result of the growing wave of infections. The new measure will be applied only for those days in which the 50% limit has not yet been exceeded. The state of Victoria, whose capital is Melbourne, registered 37,169 new cases, 25 deaths and 953 hospital admissions related to the new wave of COVID-19 infections this Thursday. “Ventilation will be improved in the interior enclosures of Melbourne Park,” detailed the statement published by the state government.
“This news for the Australian Open means that fans, players and workers can look forward to an incredible event in terms of measures against COVID-19,” explained Acting Minister of Tourism Jaala Pulford. It will therefore be the second consecutive year that the Australian ‘major’ reduces its capacity as a result of the pandemic.
Australia will not decide this Thursday
An Australian government source confirmed to the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age newspapers that The Immigration Minister will not rule on this case today, which has highlighted the country’s harsh immigration policy and its commitment to vaccination against covid-19.
The Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison – who is at stake for re-election this year and fights against a strong upturn in cases due to the irruption of the omicron- told journalists in Canberra today that The minister has “special powers” and he does not intend “to comment further.”
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