Belgrade: World No. 1 Novak Djokovic said Monday he was still hoping to compete in the Australian Open, following a stunning victory over the Australian government over the cancellation of his visa.
The ruling overturned the cancelation of Djokovic’s visa on COVID-19 health grounds, and ended the unvaccinated player’s detention in an immigration facility, potentially clearing the way for him to play in the tournament that starts next Monday.
His mother Dijana, speaking at a press conference in Belgrade, called it “the biggest victory in his career, bigger than all his grand slams.”
Djokovic tweeted from Melbourne: “Despite all that has happened, I want to stay and try to compete @AustralianOpen. I remain focused on that.”
In an emergency online court hearing, the judge ordered that the decision to cancel Djokovic’s visa “be quashed.”
He instructed that the 34-year-old men’s world number one “be released immediately and forthwith from immigration detention.”
‘Truth and justice’
Hours later, his family said justice had been served.
“Truth and justice came to the light. I would like to thank the justice system of Australia,” said his brother Djordje in Belgrade, adding that Djokovic had been able to train since being released from detention.
The ruling marked an extraordinary setback for Australia’s conservative government, which has imposed strict border restrictions for the past two years to halt the spread of COVID-19.
Australian taxpayers will be asked to pay costs for Djokovic’s high-powered legal team.
Several hundred fans dressed in the Serbian national colors gathered outside the Melbourne law offices where Djokovic had watched his successful appeal, dancing and chanting his nickname “Nole.”
“It’s a big thing for Serbian culture and community,” said Marijana Djukic, a 20-year-old university student.
Police later used pepper spray to disperse fans who mobbed a luxury car leaving the offices in which Djokovic was thought to be traveling.
His lawyers and police left the scene shortly afterward.
Djokovic had arrived in Melbourne on Wednesday ahead of the Australian Open, where he hopes to win a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title.
But the tournament may yet be out of reach.
The government’s lawyer told the court that Immigration Minister Alex Hawke may decide to use his “personal power of cancelation” despite the player’s legal victory.
Rafael Nadal, one of Djokovic’s main rivals for the title, said “it is the fairest thing” for his rival to play in the Australian Open.
“Regardless of whether or not I agree on some things with Djokovic, without any doubt, justice has spoken,” Nadal told Spanish radio station Onda Cero. -Agencies
