2022 Australian Open: Novak Djokovic takes first place in the visa controversy

The seeds for the 2022 Australian Open were announced on Tuesday and Novak Djokovic was named first in the next Grand Slam tournament. However, it is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving the post.

Behind Djokovic are Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev to round out the five men’s qualifiers for the Australian Open. Rafael Nadal, who played last August, will return to the Melbourne court and is 6th. If Djokovic is able to take part in the Australian Open, he has a chance to win his 21st Grand Slam title. He is currently tied with Roger Federer (who will not be in the Australian Open due to injury) and Nadal with most of the 20 Grand Slam singles caps in men’s history.

On Monday, that was the case Djokovic announced that he would be allowed to continue in Australia. Tennis star visa was reinstated by Federal Court Judge Anthony Kelly. That was after Djokovic’s visa was revoked because officials stated he had no medical exemption requirements for a rule requiring non-Australian residents to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Djokovic is not vaccinated against COVID-19.

Kelly ruled that the tennis star had not been given enough time to talk to his lawyers the night before the visa was revoked. Djokovic was sentenced to four days in jail in a Melbourne hotel until Monday’s decision. In addition, Australian medical authorities had previously ruled that a temporary exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine rule could be granted within six months of reaching people infected with COVID-19.

According to the Associated Press, Christopher Tran, a government lawyer, told the court that the immigration minister would “consider whether to use his personal choice.” This means that if the government takes further legal action, Djokovic could be expelled and lose the Australian Open, which is due to launch soon on 17 January.

In addition, he would be banned from entering Australia for three years. It all depends on whether more measures are taken.

Djokovic celebrated his verdict on Monday tweeting a photo himself on the courts and ready to train. It was initially reported that the tournament organizers had granted him a medical exemption from participating in the Australian Open. But the exception to the tournament – despite being unvaccinated – caused outrage across the country when it arrived earlier in January, and the situation came last Wednesday.

According to the organizers of the Australian Open, Djokovic did not receive any “special benefits” after receiving a medical exemption. Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said 26 players without vaccines had applied for a medical exemption and had only been given a “handful”.