Novak Djokovic's Australian Open bid in balance amid questions over visa application
There are new questions over Novak Djokovic’s application to enter Australia after court documents appeared to suggest the tennis star did not give correct information about his movements before travelling to the country.
The men's world number one is awaiting a decision from the federal government — expected on Tuesday — on whether to revoke his visa for a second time and deport him, depriving him of the chance to bid for a record 21st Grand Slam title in next week's Australian Open.
On Monday a court ordered that Djokovic be released from immigration detention after quashing his visa cancellation by the authorities over his vaccination status, citing procedural errors.
Documents released by the Federal Circuit Court revealed that the 34-year-old Serb — who has confirmed that he is not vaccinated against COVID-19 — told authorities he had not travelled in the 14 days before his flight to Australia.
Djokovic touched down in Melbourne just before midnight on Wednesday, answering “no” to the question about previous travel on his Australian Travel Declaration form.
But the reigning Australian Open champion was filmed playing tennis in the streets of the Serbian capital, Belgrade, on Christmas Day, and training in Spain on December 31 — both dates within the 14-day window.
The declaration notes that giving false or misleading information is a serious offence, and civil penalties are also available.
Djokovic told border officers that Tennis Australia completed the declaration on his behalf, but it was noted by the officer who cancelled his visa that the sporting body would have facilitated that “based on information the visa holder provided.”
Since Djokovic’s visa was cancelled, Czech tennis player Renata Voráčová and an unnamed
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