Novak Djokovic in hotel for detained asylum seekers as lawyers fight ban

Brisbane, January 6

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Novak Djokovic spent a day confined in an immigration detention hotel waiting for a court ruling and dealing with the prospect of deportation from Australia because of an issue with his visa application relating to Covid-19 vaccination regulations.

The 20-time Major champion from Serbia will spend at least another night in immigration detention, probably even the weekend, with his chances of playing in this month’s Australian Open in limbo.

With his visa cancelled by Australian Border Force officials who rejected his evidence to support a medical exemption from the country’s strict Covid-19 vaccination rules, Djokovic had to trade the practice courts for the law courts today

Djokovic has not disclosed if he is vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Federal Circuit Court Judge Anthony Kelly adjourned Djokovic’s case until Monday because of a delay in receiving the application for a review of the visa decisions and the temporary ban on his deportation. A lawyer for the government agreed the 34-year-old should not be deported before the next hearing. — AP