Novak Djokovic visa application latest news: Poll shows Australians want star deported
If it was up to the people of Australia, Novak Djokovic would already on a flight home to Serbia.
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As the wait for answers continues in Novak Djokovic’s visa saga which clouds his Australian Open chances, the people of Australia have spoken: and they want him out.
In an exclusive poll conducted by News Corp this week, a stunning 84 per cent of the more than 61,000 respondents voted that the Australian Government should try to deport the world No.1 from Australian shores.
The vote that matters, that of Immigration Minister Alex Hawke, is expected to be delivered on Friday - but he can be in no doubt what decision the wider public is pushing for.
Djokovic, a nine-time Australian Open champion, has endured a rocky relationship with local fans despite his unrivalled success at the tournament - often mixed receptions on Centre Court, and frequently struggling to get the crowd onside during blockbuster matches with fellow all-time greats Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
But it appears his strong anti-vaccination stance, and the draining saga over his entry to this year’s tournament, has taken its toll with the Australian public.
‘WHY ARE THEY AFRAID?’: DJOKOVIC FAMILY UNLOADS ON AUSTRALIA
Novak Djokovic’s mother has pleaded with Australian authorities to “just let him play”.
As she declared that her world No.1 son “didn’t know, probably” that he had contracted Covid in December when he roamed maskless among children and on the set of a photoshoot, Dijana Djokovic said she hopes her son plays in the Australian Open to prove a point to the world.
As Immigration Minister Alex Hawke continues to weigh up a cancellation of the Serbian’s entry visa, Mrs Djokovic conceded that she is “very worried”.
“I realise that this is not over,” she told Seven.
“I am praying that he will stay and he will play. I hope that everybody is thinking the same. I hope the government and the minister is thinking (the same).
“Don’t throw him out. He is a tennis player. He is not a politician. He is not a criminal. He is not a murderer. He is just a tennis player, the best in the world. Just let him play and show what he knows.”
She said doesn’t “think it’s fair” that Hawke holds the key to her son’s fate.
Djokovic is set to bid for a record 21st grand slam next week at Melbourne Park.
“I hope that he is going to play and going to win and show the world that he is the healthiest man in the world and he is the best player in the world,” his mother said.
His entry documents state that he had undertaken a PCR test on December 16 that was positive. On December 17, he was pictured making presentations to children in Belgrade.
Dijana said her son was “probably” unaware that he was infected.
“He didn’t know, probably. When he realized he was positive, he went into isolation. I really cannot say anything about that - maybe it is best to ask him.”
Mrs Djokovic also referenced Australian Bernard Tomic’s on-court claim that he was likely Covid positive - saying that if vaccinated people can still get ill from the virus, that it’s even more unfair on her son being barred over an anti-vaccination rule.
“It’s not that I’m against vaccination, of course I’m not. But I think also if you are vaccinated, it’s not that you are protected from the coronavirus,” she said.
“Lots of people, that have two vaccines or three vaccines, they get ill. I don’t understand this law, that only if you are vaccinated you can play.
“I heard that some guy (Tomic) and who vaccinated and is playing, he said “I cannot play, I have Corona”. So he withdrew.
“So, it’s not the point. If (Novak) is healthy, if his PCR is negative, why he cannot play? Why they are afraid? If he cough on the court, if he’s going to get ill like 10,000 people?”
MURRAY URGES DJOKOVIC TO COME CLEAN OVER VISA DEBACLE
By Michael Randall
Andy Murray says Novak Djokovic must provide the public with more clarity, revealing the frustration other tennis stars are facing as the saga overshadows the Australian Open.
Following the Brit’s first win Down Under since 2019, It didn’t take long for media to shift to questions about the circumstances leading up to Djokovic’s detention and fight to stay in Australia.
An irritated Murray said Djokovic still had to come clean on accusations he failed to isolate after testing positive to Covid-19 in December.
“I think there is still a few questions that need to be answered around, you know, the isolation and stuff, which I’m sure we’ll hear from him in the next few days,” Murray said after disposing of Norwegian Viktor Durasovic in straight sets at the Sydney Tennis Classic.
“Looks like he’s going to be able to play and compete in the Australian Open, which, you know, we do want the best players there, but, like I said, I think there is still a few questions to be answered.
“It’s up to, obviously, the press to ask about that, and obviously for Novak to clarify.
“Let’s wait to see what he says on that.”
Murray said he hoped the issue was resolved quickly and the attention turned back to tennis.
“I’m obviously here to try and play and win tournaments,” the 34-year-old said.
“It’s the first match that I have played here or won here in over three years and this is where the situations like this are frustrating for players because I want to come off and talk about my tennis and what’s happening there, not talk about situations like that.
“So I’m hoping that we can move on from it now.”
‘LAUGHING STOCK’ AUSTRALIA’S EMBARRASSING NOVAK ‘CAPITULATION’
Australia is the laughing stock of the world after performing a “massive capitulation” in the extraordinary Novak Djokovic visa saga.
Djokovic, who had been detained since his arrival in Australia last week following a battle with Border Force over his visa, had a dramatic victory in court on Monday – seemingly putting the world No.1 one step closer to defending his Australian Open title.
But the whole situation has led to Australia being labelled “embarrassing” by one of the country’s top media law practitioners.
“It is an absolute embarrassment,” Justin Quill, of Thomson Geer, told Channel 9 on Tuesday.
“You can finger point all you like. You can point the finger at the federal government, you can point the finger at the state government. You can point the finger at Tennis Australia or the Border Force officials.
“You can say the approach yesterday in court made us look bad. It doesn’t really matter. The average punter overseas looks at this as Australia and we look like idiots.
“We are the laughing-stock of the world right now. In circumstances where we should be showcasing Australia, we are doing the exact opposite.
“And it’s so embarrassing, disappointing but, unfortunately, I’m not that surprised. It seems we have too many politicians worrying about politics and worrying about their popularity rather than providing proper leadership. That’s not a political statement against one particular party. That goes right across the board.”
Quill said Australia had ‘capitulated’ in the courtroom – though there remains the possibility that Djokovic could find himself in court again, with the prospect of a three-year ban from Australian shores still a possibility.
“In a dramatic turn of events, late in the day, (the government) performed a massive capitulation and agreed to consent orders being made,” Quill added.
“They agreed to give Djokovic everything he wanted, which was the decision to cancel his visa quashed.”
TENNIS GREAT’S FEARS FOR DJOKOVIC
By Lauren Wood
The mental toll of Novak Djokovic’s legal saga and detention could be too much to bear if he plays in the Australian Open, according to 18-time grand slam winner Martina Navratilova.
Navratilova described Djokovic’s situation as a “very divisive issue”, particularly emotionally.
“Novak kind of thrives when people are not ‘for’ him,” she told Good Morning Britain.
“He wants people to love him, but when they don’t, he’s like ‘well, I’ll show you’.
“But this is obviously not ideal preparation. He’s already lost four or five days in detention. If this goes on, the emotional energy that he’s spent on this and mental and of course physically not being able to train … if he gets delayed any further, I think even if somehow they let him in, I don’t know how he can recover emotionally from this.
“It’s just sapping, and as an athlete you want to save all that energy.”
DJOKOVIC TOLD TO EXPECT ‘DEFEANING’ BOOS
Former world No.3, turned respected tennis commentator, Pam Schriver has predicted Novak Djokovic will face the fiercest of reactions from Australian Open fans should he take his place in this year’s tournament.
Always a divisive figure at Melbourne Park, the chaos of the past week - and the months which preceeded it - is likely to make the Serbian star an even bigger target, Schriver believes.
She also questioned Djokovic’s “decision-making” after revelations he mingled with the public in the days after his positive Covid-19 test on December 16.
“Even more questions about Novak’s decision making and integrity because either he falsified his Dec 16th positive test, or disregarded quarantine safety protocols putting children and vulnerable people at risk in the days that followed,” Schriver Tweeted.
“If he plays the booing will be deafening.”
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