Nowak Djokovic Trains At Australian Open Venue As His Participation In The Tournament Hangs In Balance

Nowak has won the legal battle against the cancellation of his visa

Tennis star Nowak Djokovic was seen training at the Australian Open venue in search of his 21st Grand Slam title. The world number one had scored a stunning courtroom victory the day before, overturning the Australian government’s decision to cancel his visa on Covid-19 vaccination grounds.

The unvaccinated 34-year-old Serbian ace now says he is determined to stay in Melbourne and compete in the Australian Open, which starts in just six days.

“I remain focused on that. I flew here to play at one of the most important events we have in front of the amazing fans,” Djokovic said on Instagram Monday.

Wearing a t-shirt and shorts, he limbered up in a gym Tuesday accompanied by Coach Goran Ivanisevic before going into the players’ area and heading for centre court at Melbourne Park, two AFP journalists saw.

World tennis No.1 Novak Djokovic was released from Australian immigration detention on Monday after winning a court challenge to remain in the country, but the government said it was still considering another move to deport him.

Judge Anthony Kelly ruled that the federal government's decision last week to revoke the Serbian tennis star's visa amid a row over his medical exemption from Covid-19 vaccination requirements was “unreasonable” and ordered his release.

The nine-time world champion travelled to Australia six days ago carrying a medical exemption from vaccination due to a positive Covid-19 test on December 16 last year.

“I am not vaccinated,” Djokovic had told the border official, according to a transcript released by the court.

Rafael Nadal, one of Djokovic’s main rivals said “it is the fairest thing” for the Serbian to play in the Australian Open.