Novak Djokovic News Live: Tennis star tested positive last month with teammate detained due to exemption

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Novak Djokovic is being held in Australia as a “prisoner” says his mother

Novak Djokovic remains in quarantine in a state-run hotel in Melbourne as the world’s No. 1 awaits his appeal hearing late Monday morning in Australia.

Djokovic, who traveled to Australia assuming he had a “medical exemption”, despite refusing to confirm his vaccination status, was held by the Australian Border Force (ABF) for about ten hours at Tullamarine Airport on Wednesday before being transferred to the Park Hotel in the suburb of Carlton. The Serbian immediately lodged an appeal against the AFC’s decision to revoke his visa, but the nine-time Australian Open champion could face a three-year ban from the country if he fails to win his case.

The Victorian government and Tennis Australia seem to have assured Djokovic that he is free to enter the country and defend his title, but a fierce wave of public backlash has led to political interference. Some have accused Australia’s government of using the tennis star as a political tool to divert attention from the country’s own Covid problems, however, Home Secretary Karen Andrews insisted Djokovic was not “in custody” and that he was “free to leave at any time”. Another player, Renata Vorakova, was later arrested by the AFC after entering the country under the same exemption as Djokovic, despite already participating in a warm-up event in Melbourne.

Follow all the latest news below.

Latest news for Novak Djokovic showing latest updates 1641645924 Toni Nadal sends a message to Djokovic

Rafael Nadal’s uncle and coach Toni Nadal have joined the controversy surrounding Novak Djokovic, admitting he was surprised the Serbian player had not yet been vaccinated after trying to play the Australian Open.

“I have to admit that until Tuesday’s announcement, I had thought that the Serbian player would forgo participation in the tournament, or that the vaccine would be vaccinated,” Toni Nadal said in his column at El Pais.

There are nearly six million people who have lost their lives due to this dreaded virus and many millions more who have received the vaccine.

“I want to believe that Novak is no stranger to all this and that it will remove doubts as a sign of human sensitivity and understanding.”

Tom Kershaw Jan 8 2022 12:45

1641644724PM: Djokovic himself alerted the authorities with a statement

“One of the things the Border Force is doing … is working with intelligence to bring their attention to potential arrivals,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison told Sky Sports News.

“When you get people to make public statements about what they say they have, what they are going to do, and what their claims are, they are paying close attention to themselves.

“Anyone who does that, whether a celebrity, or a politician, or a tennis player, or a journalist, whoever does it, can expect to be asked more questions than others before you come.”

Tom Kershaw Jan 8 2022 12:25

Medvedev: Djokovic’s decision ‘very difficult in real life’

US Open champion Daniil Medvedev has resisted the opportunity to take sides in the debate over Novak Djokovic’s visa status ahead of the Australian Open.

The Russian will face the No. 1 seed if Djokovic withdraws due to visa issues and has confirmed he is only focusing on himself for now.

“If he has a fair exemption from the rule, well, he should be here; if he doesn’t, he shouldn’t be here,” Medvedev said.

“It sounds easy, but it seems very difficult in real life, and I don’t know the insides of the story, which is why I only focus on myself.”

Tom Kershaw Jan 8 2022 11:55

Djokovic refused access to the chef – reports 1641641877

Reports said Australian authorities denied Novak Djokovic’s requests for access to his chef and a tennis court.

The Australian said officials remained adamant that World No. 1 would be denied any preferential treatment while staying at Melbourne’s Park Hotel.

Djokovic was also unable to celebrate Orthodox Christmas on Friday, as a priest from the Serbian Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity in Melbourne was said to have been rejected.

Tom Kershaw Jan 8 2022 11:37

Australian tennis chief praises team for Djokovic’s response

Tennis Australia chief Craig Tilley has praised his organization for the work they did in the Novak Djokovic case as the tennis star awaits the outcome of his appeal.

There has been criticism directed everywhere, from Djokovic and his team, to previous claims by the organizers that he will be allowed in and even towards the country’s visa process, but a leaked video published by Australia’s Sunday Herald Sun shows that Tilley has dismissed accusations that Tennis Australia has been misled. Players regarding what is necessary to enter the Australian Open.

“There is a lot of finger pointing…but I can assure you our team has done an incredible job,” he said.

(Getty Images)

Karl Matchett Jan 8 2022 11:08

Australian Open defending champion Naomi Osaka withdrew from the preliminary tournament

In a statement issued by Tennis Australia, Osaka said: “I have had a lot of fun playing here in Melbourne. Unfortunately, I have an abdominal injury and need to rest and prepare for the Australian Open.”

Osaka later posted on Twitter, “Sad to have to withdraw from my match today, my body was in shock from playing intense back-to-back matches after my break. I will try to rest and see you soon!”

The winner of four major titles took a breather after losing to Leila Fernandez in the third round of the US Open in September.

After her successful return to court in Melbourne earlier in the week, Osaka said her main goal for 2022 is to feel like she’s “having fun” on the field.

She was due to face Japan’s world number 13 Veronika Kudretova before withdrawing, with now Russian Simona Halep facing Romanian to advance with a straight-set victory over Chinese teenager Zheng Kenwen.

Karl Matchett Jan 8, 2022 10:53

1641638222 Djokovic asks the Serbian president to help him leave the hotel

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has revealed that Novak Djokovic has asked to be moved from his immigration hotel to rented accommodation.

TennisWorldUSA reports the national leader has been in contact with the tennis player and is asking what he can do to help – but Australian immigration rules prevent this from happening.

“We did everything we could. Last night I spoke with Novak for the first time, this morning for the second time, according to the agreements we have, Anna Bernabek only calls by phone, prays and asks for one thing,” Vucic said.

Before the court’s final decision on Monday, they let Novak not be in this infamous hotel, but in the house he rented. This is what Novak asked of his country, the duty to protect our citizens. I spoke to him last night and this morning, our ministry is involved.”

Karl Matchett Jan 8, 2022 10:37

Vurakova hopes Djokovic will play in the Australian Open

Voracova, who had already taken part in a warm-up event in Melbourne, is said to have been exempted from the vaccine on the grounds that she had contracted Covid-19 in the past six months – the same reason Djokovic used it.

“I’m in a room and I can’t go anywhere,” Vorakova told DNES and Czech Sport newspapers.

“My window is tightly shut, and I can’t open it by five centimeters (two inches). There are guards everywhere, even under the window, which is very funny. They probably thought I would jump and run,

They bring me food and there is a guard in the corridor. You have to report, everything is codified. I feel like I’m in a little prison.”

Voracova has said she will not appeal the decision and is likely to leave over the weekend, but is hopeful that Djokovic will be allowed to play for the AO.

“We are athletes, we came here to play tennis and not to deal with controversies behind the scenes,” she added.

Karl Matchett Jan 8, 2022 10:26

1641636602PTPA in connection with Djokovic

The ATP said they had been in contact with Novak Djokovic and called on Australia to allow both vaccinated and unvaccinated athletes to participate in the Australian Open, pending “approved medical exemptions”.

The PTPA has been in close contact with Mr Djokovic, his family, his legal advisor, government officials and the leadership of the Australian Open. Mr. Djokovic has checked for us his safety. He also asked us to allow him to share the facts of his arrest in person in his own style and at his time.

“With the utmost respect for all personal opinions about vaccinations, vaccinated athletes and non-vaccinated athletes (with an approved medical exemption) should be given the freedom to compete.

“We will continue to support and advocate for our members and all players in a way that is acceptable to them.”

Karl Matchett Jan 8, 2022 10:10

1641635482 Djokovic surrounded by “nonsense” says the former coach

The former coach of the Serbia Davis Cup team, Bogdan Obradovic, has criticized Novak Djokovic’s actions and approach.

He made it clear he had nothing to do with the current star, having struggled with the feud after leaving the international team scene in 2017 – and claimed Djokovic’s vegan diet was nothing more than an “experience” he didn’t understand.

“I have no connection with Novak. I have no connection with Novak. Nor do we wish each other a Happy New Year, or Christmas, children’s birthdays, nothing … for what reason and why? The moment I left the national team, we entered into conflict.

“To this day I think I was right.

Novak is surrounded by some severe nonsense. He’s gone on such an experience of something he doesn’t even know what it’s about.”

Karl Matchett Jan 8 2022 09:51

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