Djokovic visa remains in limbo as Australian Open delays draw
There is still no decision from the Morrison Government on whether or not it will move to deport World No 1 Novak Djokovic, throwing confusion over the proposed draw for the Australian Open.
Novak Djokovic during a training session at Melbourne Park. The defending Australian Open champion remains in limbo awaiting a decision from Immigration Minister Alex Hawke. (AAP Image/Diego Fedele)
With Djokovic’s participation in the tennis tournament still uncertain, organisers on Thursday afternoon abruptly postponed announcing the draw for more than an hour before finally revealing the Serbian was scheduled to play as the No 1 seed.
Asked how long his government would allow Djokovic’s future to remain uncertain, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said it was a matter for Immigration Minister Alex Hawke and he would not comment further.
The tournament draw was to have taken place at 3pm at Melbourne Park before an announcement was made over the PA that it had been “postponed until further notice”.
Officials finally began the draw at 4.15pm, confirming that Djokovic was still in the tournament at this stage.
Djokovic is awaiting the Australian government’s decision over whether or not it would cancel the nine-times champion’s visa.
Despite winning a court case against the Australian Border Force in the Federal Circuit Court on Monday, the Serbian superstar still faces the prospect of deportation.
Immigration Minister Alex Hawke has the jurisdiction to overrule the court ruling and revoke the nine-times champion’s visa over an allegedly illegal entry to Australia.
