Novak Djokovic has tweeted that he is "pleased and grateful" that the judge overturned the Australian government's decision to cancel his visa. Djokovic said that "despite all that has happened," he wants to remain in country to "try to compete" in the Australian Open 2022 which will begin on January 17.
The Serb tweeted: “I’m pleased and grateful that the Judge overturned my visa cancellation. Despite all that has happened,I want to stay and try to compete @AustralianOpen 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.”
“For now I cannot say more but THANK YOU all for standing with me through all this and encouraging me to stay strong,” he further wrote in another tweet.
Djokovic has won the Australian Open nine times, including the last three events, but his hopes of defending the title and winning a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title were in danger as his visa was on the verge of being cancelled by the Australian government.
There were no ATP points for Novak Djokovic's victory in the law courts on Monday (January 10) but the Serb remains the world's top-ranked men's player comfortably ahead of next week's Australian Open.
Last year, Djokovic filed for an Australian temporary entry visa to compete in the Australian Open and was granted the visa on November 18th. Djokovic tested positive for Covid on December 16. Later, he tested negative for the virus on December 22.
On December 30, he received a medical exemption from Covid-19 vaccination for entry from Tennis Australia, on the grounds that he had just recovered from Covid-19. On January 1, Djokovic's team submitted his travel declaration to the Australian Ministry of Home Affairs, which notifies them that it has been assessed and he is cleared for quarantine-free arrival. Djokovic received a Border Travel Permit on January 2 by the state government of Victoria.
He arrived in Melbourne on January 5. His passport was taken, and he was escorted to a small room where he was interviewed by border control officers. On January 6, the 34-year-old's visa was cancelled by the Australian government, and he was taken to a temporary detention facility at the Park Hotel in Melbourne.
Finally on January 10, the judge decided to quash the cancellation of his visa and ordered his release from detention. Australia's immigration minister still has the power to cancel the visa, however, he is "currently considering the matter" according to a statement.
Behind Djokovic, the week's biggest winner was Felix Auger-Aliassime who moved up to a career-best ninth after helping Canada to win the ATP Cup at the weekend.
"I hope that continues, not just this week, but for many months to come," said the 21-year-old about his current form.
