Will he play or will he go? The decision on whether tennis star Novak Djokovic will be allowed to participate in the Australian Open will probably not be made this Thursday. On Thursday, he abandoned his practice session.
Novak Djokovic cut short his training session on Thursday. After only 30 minutes, his fitness trainer Marco Panichi came to the Serb with his mobile phone, probably showing him a message. Afterwards, the world number one packed up his things and left the court, although he had booked the court for two hours. More exact details are not yet known.
The eagerly awaited decision of the Australian government on a renewed revocation of Novak Djokovic’s residence permit is apparently further delayed. According to the newspaper “The Age”, it will no longer be made today, Thursday. Immigration Minister Alex Hawke will not decide until midnight whether the Serb’s visa will be cancelled or not, the newspaper reported, citing government circles. Earlier, a quick decision was expected on Thursday.
Djokovic would meet compatriot
The 20-time Grand Slam winner is in further danger of missing the Australian Open (from 17 January) after breaching isolation rules in his native Serbia and making a false declaration on his entry documents. Prime Minister Scott Morrison kept a low profile at a press conference.
Earlier, tournament officials had delayed the draw for the first major of the year by more than an hour without giving a reason. Djokovic was drawn with compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic to start his title defence. It was also announced that due to the tense pandemic situation, spectator capacity would be capped at 50 per cent of the possible capacity.
“These adjustments to the rules for the Australian Open mean that fans, players and staff can look forward to a great, safe event,” Jaala Pulford, Victoria’s tourism minister, said in a statement.
Whether Djokovic will be there remains unclear after a days-long legal tug-of-war that included an interim partial victory for the world number one in court. On Wednesday, Djokovic had admitted that he took part in an interview in Serbia in December despite knowing about a positive coronal test. In addition, there is an “unintentional” false statement on his entry form regarding his travel activities before the flight to Melbourne.
