The Australian court will decide whether Djokovic plays in the Open or leaves Reuters

Sonali by Paul and Sudipto Ganguly

MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Tennis star Novak Djokovic will face an 11-hour trial on Sunday to decide whether to defend the Australian Open title or leave the country – the highest dramatic day for COVID-19 entry requirements and no vaccinations. state.

The run-up to the tournament, which began on Monday and was won nine times by Djokovic, has been virtually hidden due to the roller coaster controversy over Djokovic’s visa, the treatment of immigration officials and the government’s handling of the case.

Judge David O’Callaghan set a Federal Court hearing for 9:30 a.m. Sunday (2230 GMT Saturday). The three judges will hear the appeal and their decision will be final, the court said.

Djokovic, the best male player and looking for the record for his 21st Grand Slam victory, spent Saturday night at the Melbourne Park Hotel https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-tennis-australia-djokovic-hotel-idUKKBN2JH0LO, Reuters According to a witness, the immigration detainee, who was held for four nights last week, returned to the same hotel.

He was released by a judge on Monday https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/novak-djokovics-bid-stay-australia-goes-before-courts-2022-01-09 after his decision to cancel his visa. the arrival was senseless. Djokovic refused to be vaccinated against coronavirus and wanted to enter the country with a medical exemption from the rules that prohibit all visitors from being vaccinated.

Immigration Minister Alex Hawke again revoked Djokovic’s visa on Friday night, prompting an appeal from his lawyers, who will be heard on Sunday.

Court documents released after an initial hearing in the Federal Court on Saturday showed that Hawk had justified his decision by arguing that Djokovic’s presence could have created more feelings against the Australian vaccine at a time when the country is at its worst outbreak of the virus. .

“While I accept that Mr Djokovic has a low individual risk of transmitting COVID-19 to other people, I believe his presence could be a risk to the health of the Australian community,” Hawke said in a letter to Djokovic. and its legal team.

This explanation of Djokovic’s affidavit was more accurate than the brief statement Hawk released on Friday, saying his decision was based on “reasons of good health and order.”

Djokovic’s lawyers said the exile would increase his feelings against vaccines and would be a threat to disorder and public health as much as letting him stop.

‘TIRED OF SITUATION’

On Saturday evening, a dozen refugee activists shouted “stop torture … let go” when Djokovic and Border Guard guards entered the underground garage of the Park Hotel, which is used to detain 33 asylum seekers and passengers. Covid19 quarantine.

A man on a bicycle next to the hotel shouted, “Go home, Novak!”

Djokovic’s medical exemption from vaccination requirements to play in the Open has sparked outrage in Australia, which has suffered the hardest blockages in the world of COVID-19 and where more than 90% of adults are vaccinated, but hospitalization rates remain record.

The controversy surrounding the tennis player has become a political touch for Prime Minister Scott Morrison as he prepares for the May elections.

His government has won support at the time of the pandemic’s tough stance on border security at home, but has been criticized for handling Djokovic’s visa application.

Djokovic’s main rivals have been increasingly patient https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/players-tired-djokovic-circus-de-minaur-2022-01-15 uncertainty is on the draw and on the cloud. their sport.

“I’m really a little tired of the situation, because I think it’s important to talk about our sport, tennis,” said Rafa Nadal, a Spaniard who has been tied with Djokovic in 20 major caps, to reporters at Melbourne Park. the ceremony will be played.

German Alexander Zverev, the world number one, has said that Djokovic has been treated unfairly and that the Serb could be used as a political pawn by the Australian authorities, Canberra has denied something.

“This, of course, is not a nice thing for everyone, especially for him. But don’t question his legacy because of that,” Zverev said.

Djokovic, in the first round of the Open with Serbian Miomir Kecmanovi, may still retire and leave Australia on his own, instead of enduring the humiliation of being deported.