The “Novak Djokovic affair” enters its home stretch. There is no other choice, because the world number 1 in tennis is in the decisive hours to find out whether he can access or not Australia. Monday will be day one Court will judge if the champion of the 20 “Grand Slam” can enter the country of Oceania and thus begin to defend his crown which he won last season. Until then, the decisive hours come when Djokovic it’s been cataloged by fans and naysayers while you wait.
FOLLOW LIVE ALL THE ONGOING EVENTS OF THE DJOKOVIC AFFAIR
21.50 Maljkovic says Djokovic could not have boarded a plane in Spain without a visa
Serbian Olympic Committee President Bozidar Maljkovic said in a letter to his Australian counterpart John Coates that Novak Djokovic could not have taken the flight from Malaga (Spain) to Melbourne without the documents to enter Australia.
Moreover, in the long letter, the text of which is published on the website of the Serbian Olympic Committee, he harshly accuses the Australian authorities of “racism” and discrimination, as well as of trying “to influence the ranking of ATP tennis players with their decisions. ”The full news, here.
6.30 p.m. New demonstration of support for Djokovic in Belgrade
For the fourth day in a row, strong supporters of Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic gathered in central Belgrade to express their support, a few hours before the Australian justice decides to order his deportation or to allow him to enter the country to play the Australian Open.
“Nole, Nole” or “Nole, legend” shouted the demonstrators in front of the Serbian Parliament, where they were summoned by the Djokovic family.
“There are no borders that you cannot cross” and “Come on, Nole 1”, prayed some of the banners they carried, while others waved Serbian flags and heart-shaped balloons.
“Today is a great day, when we go before the judge to seek justice. The whole world will hear the truth. We hope that Novak comes out as a free and successful man.“Said the tennis player’s brother, Djordje, according to the Blic portal.
His mother, Dijana, described as “inhuman” the conditions in which her son has been in the asylum since last Thursday, and denounced that “They only give him lunch and dinner, but no breakfast”.
16.39. “When I read that they don’t want to let Djokovic in because he’s number 1, I laugh … so as not to cry”
The spanish surfer Leti Canales He explained on social media the problems surfers have had to compete this season and drew a parallel to what happened with Djokovic.
“This season on our WSL World Surf Tour, we had to get the second dose shot to get into the United States. Many surfers, world top, could not enter because in their respective countries they did not give a second dose to people who had exceeded it … “.
15.14. Pospisil criticizes ATP’s silence in Djokovic case
Canadian tennis player Vasek Pospisil, a promoter alongside Novak Djokovic of the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), criticized ATP’s “deafening” silence on the case of the world’s number one tennis player, confined to Melbourne awaiting a decision justice Monday on your visa.
“However you see the situation in Australia with Novak and the other tennis players, notice the silence from ATP. Not even a simple statement four days later“Pospisil said in a post on social media.
“They have already shown repeatedly that they don’t care about tennis players; now they also demonstrate the total lack of leadership in the face of real problems, ”added the 133rd tennis player in the world rankings.
14.20. Djokovic was not guaranteed to enter Australia
An important point to keep in mind has to do with the Australian government and that it has become known recently. They explain that They had not given Novak Djokovic the security of being able to enter the country despite the medical exception that allowed him to enter Australia without being vaccinated, according to what they say in a post this Sunday.
“There is no guarantee of entry for a non-national in Australia. Rather, there are entry criteria and conditions, as well as reasons for refusal or cancellation of a visa.“, Argue the lawyers of the Australian Ministry of the Interior in a document presented Sunday evening in front of the court which studies the expulsion of the tennis player.
13.51. What if Djokovic wins the first battle?
There is a question that surrounds everything about the sight of Djokovic Monday: the possibility of starting with an advantage. According to Australian lawyers Justin Quill and David Galbali There may be good news for the world number 1. “He has a good chance of winning the case and being allowed to play with a temporary court order. He won the first battle by avoiding the delay of the hearing thanks to Judge Anthony Kelly“, they say to ‘Channel 9 ‘.
13.27. “We can only promise two things: we will fight to the end and we have a Covid passport”
They are still anecdotal, but the statements of Tomás Carbonell, captain of Spain in the ATP Cup, they will bring a tail because they relate to Djokovic: “We can only promise two things: we will fight to the end and we all have the Covid passport, ”he said after falling in Canada the grand finale.
12.40. “Imagine spending Christmas in prison”
While Australia is still awaiting the court’s decision on Djokovic and his deportation, Serbia turns to the best athlete in its history. In the many defensive actions of the tennis player, those carried out by his mother stood out, Dijana. “Imagine that in a family like ours, they have to see how one of their own spends (Orthodox) Christmas in prison“, he told the ‘BBC‘.
12.20. The government of Serbia, a key player
The Djokovic case live your last hours. It is a reality to say that it is time the final conversations before the tennis player’s call were not kicked out of Australia. For this reason, the Serbian government will play a key role. As its prime minister said, Ana Brnabic, they would do anything to get number 1 in the tournament. Among these things were discussions with the Australian government prior to the hearing. Moreover, from the Balkan country, they demand that Although he is at the hotel, he can train, which is complicated after refusing to have a tennis court these days.
11.40. Even Eurosceptics come into play
To check the dimension of the “The Djokovic case” In the overall picture it should be noted that even important personalities give their opinion. Not having any connection with the sport. Is what is happening with former member of the European Parliament Nigel Farage, more than known to be one of the leaders of the Brexit. It is clear to him. “If they do that with a number 1, imagine what they can do with you,” he says.
11.00. Why is the refusal to delay Djokovic’s appeal important?
One of the burning issues is the judge’s refusal that the hearing of Djokovic took place on Thursday. Since Serbia It is seen as something very positive as they are confident that the tennis player’s defense will convince. In addition, by taking place on Monday it allows that if it is victorious Djokovic can register for the Australian Open, which is impossible if the hearing is delayed.
10.35. There is also the political game
The ‘The Djokovic case“There is also a political side. Is related to Australia and its Prime Minister, Scott Morrison. It is an election year and there are those who criticize the political representative for using sport as a vehicle for his politics. “Morrison lives under great political pressure caused by the variant Omicron and the increase in cases in addition to the chaos in the clinics. I could use the problem with Djokovic as an opportunity to be tough on border policies ”, they underline Australia.
10:15 am. An image that can be decisive
This is the big topic of discussion. The positive or not of Novak Djokovic on December 16. Regardless, the number 1 on the charts was present on the 17th at a public event. Without a mask and with the authorities, something which, of course, it would be against the law. The one in Belgrade will have to face a delicate issue and who knows if he will be able to leave it without the Australian Open.
9.45. “I am with Novak. You cannot nullify the greatness.”
Quite a declaration of intent from one of the great Serbian athletes. The player of NBA Atlanta Hawks Bogdan Bogdanovic shows his support for Novak Djokovic. “You can’t stop greatness. We’re with Novak,” he reads across his shirt. Serbia He is with his tennis player, and they hope after the rejection that the resolution of the case will be delayed.
9.22. Marion Bartoli defends Djokovic: “It’s something catastrophic”
More authoritative voices appear on the stage. On this occasion, the former French player Marion Bartoli, who defends Djokovic in ‘CMR‘. “El ‘affair’ Djokovic is catastrophic for the image of the tournament. They have reached limits which are not worthy of humane treatment “, admits the champion of Wimbledon in 2013.
9.08. Australian Open CEO breaks silence
It was one of the most anticipated voices and, finally, she spoke. Craig Tiley, CEO of the Australian Open, conducted an interview for ‘9News Melbourne’ in which you analyzed the “Djokovic case”. As we mentioned earlier, he wants to see the Serbian in his tournament, although he is fully aware of the situation that is being experienced. It certainly won’t be the last chapter
8.51. “I would like to see Djokovic play in Australia”
One of the most anticipated voices is appearing. Craig Tiley, CEO of the Australian Open, he does not hide that he wants to see the number 1 of his tournament. “I want to see Djokovic play yes. Now there is a lot of conflicting information, ”he says. ‘9News Melbourne’.
8.35. Critique of the process
In Australia critics started to rain over the process that may end Djokovic in the country or, on the contrary, to be expelled. These are the people who seek asylum in the country and who see how Belgrade the process was sped up while they are still waiting.
8.13. Andy Murray: “It’s not a good thing for tennis”
One of the great rivals of Novak Djokovic has spoken publicly from Australia. Andy Murray said: “I hope he is doing well. I did not speak to him personally, but I ATP he does it. Not a good thing for tennis“.
8h00. The trial will be held on Monday between doubts
It was possible that the Serbian court hearing would be delayed. It was the intention of Court Australian, who as stated from the country ‘Aussie‘came to ask. He was rejected. Moreover, the main doubts about the case relate to the public appearances of Djokovic without a mask on dates he would have previously or later tested positive.
7.51. Some requests refused
The first morning reports dealing with Djokovic pretend number 1 asked for two things while waiting in Australia that were refused. It would be a chef and a tennis court to train while he was in the country, things he was not allowed according to ‘The sun’.
“Coffeeaholic. Lifelong alcohol fanatic. Typical travel expert. Prone to fits of apathy. Internet trailblazer.”