Novak Djokovic Wins Appeal To Play In Australian Open

Novak Djokovic has won his court case in Australia and had the decision to cancel his visa overturned, meaning he can play in the Australian Open.

Last week the world number one angered many, especially in Australia, when he announced that he'd been given an exemption to play in the first Grand Slam event of the year, despite not being vaccinated.

Djokovic then flew to Australia for the event only to find out that the government had intervened, with even the Prime Minister getting involved and threatening to cancel his visa.

The Serbian wasn't allowed into the country and instead had to be held in detention in a hotel at Melbourne airport, a move that was criticised by many including Andy Murray.

On Monday morning, the decision to cancel the world number one's visa was overturned in the courts by Judge Anthony Kelly, meaning he should be able to play in the Australian Open.

BREAKING:

Djokovic wins Round 1 of his legal appeal on procedural grounds, quashing the border officer’s initial decision to cancel Djokovic’s visa.

The Australian government has expressed its readiness to recancel the visa and redetain Djokovic, so Round 2 is coming soon.

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 10, 2022

The judge ruled that Djokovic had to be released from his detention within half an hour of the ruling, after deciding the procedures had not been followed when initially detaining the 20 time Grand Slam winner.

The tennis star's fans had gathered outside of his hotel since Thursday, when he arrived in Australia, an sang songs calling for his release.

When the decision was made they broke out into dancing in the streets to celebrate.

BREAKING: Novak Djokovic is free to play in the Australian Open after a judge ruled against the decision to remove his visa.

On #BBCBreakfast Australia correspondent Shaimaa Khalil reports from outside the hotel where he has been held.https://t.co/j7imSLkSnw pic.twitter.com/k1IqsESLjt

— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) January 10, 2022

The first round of the tournament, which Djokovic is the defending champion, starts in a week's time and as of now he is free to play.

However, Government counsel Christopher Tran did warn that Minister for Immigration, Alex Hawke, could still exercise his power to cancel the 34-year-old's visa.

If Tran does decide to do that then Djokovic could be banned from entering the country, and the slam he has won most often, for up to three year.

Djok is currently tied on 20 Grand Slam victories with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, with all three having won more than any other male tennis player ever, and are all in a battle to see who gets to 21 first.

Federer's career is in doubt after yet more surgery but Nadal returned from a recent injury and a bout of Covid to win the Melbourne Summer Set ATP on Sunday, which took place at Melbourne Park, the same location for the Australian Open.