Australian Open: Novak Djokovic in the draw but awaits Hawke-eye’s call

Novak Djokovic has taken his place as Australian Open top seed despite being ­investigated over Covid issues in three countries.

Novak Djokovic during his practice session on Rod Laver Arena. Picture: David Caird

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has taken his place at the head of the Australian Open draw in his bid for a 10th title, despite the ­Serbian now being under ­investigation over Covid issues in three countries.

Immigration Minister Alex Hawke is yet to make a decision on whether to cancel the Serb’s visa over his vaccination status, while Spain probes his “illegal entry” into that country, and authorities in his home country examine his failure to isolate after catching Covid-19 in December.

Following an unexplained one-hour delay, the Australian Open draw proceeded on Thursday, with the top seed being paired with fellow Serb Miomir Kecmanovic in round one.

Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley presided over the draw, but refused to take questions as the Djokovic saga continued.

Novak Djokovic at a practice session on Wednesday after his release from detention, as he sweated on a decision from the federal government on his visa. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Despite the inclusion of Djokovic in the draw, uncertainty hangs over his participation in the competition with Mr Hawke yet to decide if he will cancel his visa a second time. The minister is considering whether to use his personal power to cancel the Serbian tennis star’s visa, after receiving new information provided by Djokovic’s team.

Scott Morrison remained tight-lipped about the visa decision after a meeting of national cabinet on Thursday.

Djokovic arrived in Australia late on January 5 and was interrogated for about eight hours by Australian Border Force officials.

His visa was cancelled, with ABF officers saying his recent positive Covid diagnosis was not grounds for a vaccine exemption.

The federal government conceded in a court battle on Monday that the tennis champion had been denied procedural fairness and the Federal Circuit Court overturned the cancellation of his visa at the airport.

Djokovic at the L'Equipe photo shoot, from a post on December 18 of Novak Djokovic 2021. Source: Twitter/@BenRothenberg

Spanish authorities have revealed they will probe Djokovic’s travel to Marbella on December 31 and again on January 2 and 3 without a vaccination certificate or exemption.

Footage emerged this week of the tennis star training in the Soho Tennis Academy, which has hard courts like those at Melbourne Park. The news was reported by radio station Cadena de Ondas Populares Españolas and other Spanish media sources on Thursday. The station reported Spain’s Ministry of the Interior and Ministry of Foreign Affairs asked police and immigration authorities to investigate Djokovic’s alleged travel breaches.

It was reported Djokovic did not request permission from the Spanish embassy in Belgrade or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to enter the country without a Covid-19 vaccine, despite Serbian citizens being required to present a certificate or exemption to enter the country and its territories.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews refused to say whether Djokovic would be granted permission to participate in the state’s “vaccinated economy” should the federal government opt not to revoke his visa.

Mr Andrews’ reluctance to declare the government’s position on the issue came despite a Health Department medical panel clearing the top seed to play at the Australian Open prior to his arrival in the country last week. “Ultimately, who gets a visa is a matter for the commonwealth government,” Mr Andrews said.

The Victorian government and Tennis Australia announced crowds would be capped at the Australian Open at 50 per cent due to rising Covid-19 infections.

Additional reporting: Remy Varga, Adeshola Ore