Novak Djokovic freed: grateful Serbian tennis star breaks silence, saying he is focused on Australian Open as government ponders ministerial powers to deport him
- The nine-time Australian Open champion was detained last week after border officials said his medical exemption against Covid-19 vaccination was invalid
- If the immigration minister uses his discretionary powers to deport him, Djokovic could be banned from Australia for three years
Tennis star Novak Djokovic posted a message to his fans hours after being freed from detention, saying he was grateful to the judge who released him and was focused on defending his Australian Open title.
In his first comments since winning an appeal against deportation from Australia, the world number one and 20-time grand slam champion wrote: “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.
01:52
Tennis star Novak Djokovic wins Australian court fight after judge overturns visa cancellation
“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.”
An Australian court on Monday ruled in favour of the Serbian after border officials last week said his medical exemption for not being vaccinated against Covid-19 was not valid and he was detained.
He later added: “For now I cannot say more but THANK YOU all for standing with me through all this and encouraging me to stay strong.”