
According to Australian media, border officials are looking into whether Novak Djokovic’s travel entrance form contained a false declaration.
Last week, Djokovic’s visa was revoked upon his arrival in Melbourne, but it was reinstated by a judge on Monday.
The Australian immigration minister, though, retains the authority to revoke the visa and deport the unvaccinated athlete.
Djokovic, who is defending his Australian Open title next week, has remained silent about the latest reports.
On his admission paperwork, the 34-year-old Serb player stated that he had not travelled in the 14 days leading up to his arrival on January 6.
During that time, he appears to have been in Serbia and Spain, according to social media posts.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Djokovic told border officials that Tennis Australia had completed the Australian Travel Declaration on his behalf. It’s unclear whether or not this will aid him if his claim is disputed.
The Australian Border Force (ABF) did not respond to requests for comment. At this time, Djokovic’s lawyers have declined to speak to the BBC.
Djokovic uploaded a selfie of himself and his staff, including coach Goran Ivanisevic, on court at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne after being released from custody on Monday.
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The tournament starts on January 17th, and if Djokovic wins, he will become the most successful man in tennis history.
Ana Brnabic, Serbia’s prime minister, and Scott Morrison, Australia’s prime minister, spoke over the phone on Monday. Neither acknowledged or denied that Djokovic’s current visa situation was mentioned.
After deciding that ABF officials had not given him enough time to reply at Melbourne Airport, the Federal Circuit Court reinstated Djokovic’s visa. According to the judge, this was an unequal process.
The court did not rule on whether his medical exemption from vaccination, based on the fact that he took Covid last month, was lawful.
However, Australia’s Immigration Minister, Alex Hawke, indicated on Tuesday that he was still considering cancelling Djokovic’s visa using distinct powers granted by the Migration Act.
He can deport anyone he believes poses a threat to “the health, safety, or good order of the Australian community” under the legislation. Local media indicated that a decision would not be made the same day.
The men’s professional tennis tour has urged players to get vaccinated and sought for more clarification on the criteria for entering Australia.
The ATP stated, “The series of events building up to Monday’s court hearing have been harmful on many fronts, especially to Novak’s well-being and preparation for the Australian Open.”