Novak Djokovic said ‘human error’ was behind a mistake on his documents for entry to Australia that breached its strict laws on reporting recent travel, as the government weighed whether to deport the player
Djokovic was held in immigration detention in Melbourne for several days after his visa was cancelled by border force officials, who questioned his medical exemption for a requirement to be vaccinated for COVID-19.that decision, saying the cancellation of the visa was "unreasonable" because the player was not been given time to consult lawyers and tennis officials when he arrived in the country.
Djokovic, who is seeking to win a record 21st tennis major at the Open, said his lawyers had provided additional information to the Australian government on Wednesday. Monday's court ruling did not address whether that exemption - based on Djokovic contracting COVID-19 last month - was valid., who left Australia on Friday after her visa was cancelled, saying the Czech player followed the rules and had done nothing wrong.Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic practices at Melbourne Park as questions remain over the legal battle regarding his visa to play in the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia, January 12, 2022.
Questions arose about Djokovic's movements before coming to Australia when social media posts appeared to show him in Belgrade less than two weeks before he headed to Spain and then on to Australia.those social media posts. "While I went home after the interview to isolate for the required period, on reflection, this was an error of judgement and I accept that I should have rescheduled this commitment," he said.