Novak Djokovic: Questions raised over tennis star's travel declaration
The possibility of deportation still hangs over Novak Djokovic
Australian border officials are
investigating whether Novak Djokovic's travel entry form included a false
declaration, Australian media report.
Djokovic's visa was revoked on arrival in Melbourne last week
before being reinstated by a judge on Monday.
But Australia's immigration minister still has powers to
re-cancel the visa and deport the unvaccinated player.
Djokovic - who is hoping to defend his Australian Open title
next week - has not commented on the latest reports.
The 34-year-old Serb player's entry form stated he had not
travelled in the 14 days before his arrival on 6 January.
Social media posts appear to show him in both Serbia and Spain
during that fortnight.
Djokovic told border officials that Tennis Australia completed
the Australian Travel Declaration on his behalf, the Sydney Morning Herald
reported. It is not clear whether this would help him in the
event it is challenged.
The Australian Border Force (ABF) did not immediately confirm
the reports. Djokovic's lawyers told the BBC they had no comment at this stage.
After being released from detention on Monday, Djokovic posted a
photo of himself and his team - including coach Goran Ivanisevic - on court at
the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.
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This year's tournament begins on 17 January and if Djokovic
wins, he will become the most successful men's player in history.
Serbia's Prime Minister Ana Brnabic and Australian counterpart
Scott Morrison spoke in a call on Monday. Neither confirmed whether Djokovic's
current visa status had been discussed.
The Federal Circuit Court reinstated Djokovic's visa after
ruling that ABF officials had not given him enough time to respond at Melbourne
Airport. This constituted an unfair process, the judge said.
The court did not make a rulin
g on whether his reason for a medical exemption from vaccination - that he had Covid last month - was valid.
Media caption,
Ros Atkins on... questions that remain for Djokovic
But on Tuesday Immigration Minister Alex Hawke said he was still
considering whether to cancel Djokovic's visa under separate powers in
Australia's Migration Act.
The act allows him to deport anyone he deems a potential risk to
"the health, safety or good order of the Australian community". A
decision was not expected on the same day, local media reported.
The men's professional tennis
tour has called for more clarity of the rules to enter
Australia and urged players to get vaccinated.
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