Top-ranked tennis player Novak Djokovic has launched a legal challenge to the Australian government's decision to cancel his visa, saying he contracted COVID-19 last month and thus qualified for a medical exemption to the country's vaccination requirements.
The Serbian star's legal team filed a 35-page document on January 8 stating his case that the decision to cancel his visa should be reversed, potentially freeing him up to defend his Australian Open title later this month.
The challenge, which includes a certified document showing Djokovic, an outspoken critic of vaccination against COVID-19, tested positive for the coronavirus on December 16 and was free of symptoms by December 30, is expected to be heard in an Australian court on January 10, one week before the start of the tournament.
The filing also shows Djokovic said he received a letter from Tennis Australia's chief medical officer stating he had a medical exemption from vaccination as a result of him contracting COVID-19.
A Facebook post by the Belgrade tennis association showed Djokovic presenting trophies and awards during a youth tennis awards ceremony in the Serbian capital on December 17, a day after he says he tested positive. Djokovic is shown posing with Serbian tennis officials and around 20 youths, with none of them wearing masks. On December 16, the date of his positive test, Djokovic attended a gathering for Serbia's postal service, which was launching a series of stamps honoring him.
Djokovic's case continues to cause controversy ahead of the new year's first Grand Slam tennis event.
The world No. 1 has been forced to await the court hearing in detention at a Melbourne immigration center, causing an outcry in his home country.
Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic on January 8 said the government stood ready to provide all necessary guarantees to allow Djokovic to be granted permission to enter Australia.
"He's staying in Park Hotel until the final decision is made," Brnabic told Serbian media.
"We've managed to make sure gluten-free food is delivered to him, as well as exercising tools, a laptop, and a SIM card so that he is able to be in contact with his family."
Members of Djokovic's family held a rally of support for the third consecutive day in front of the Serbian parliament building in Belgrade.
Djokovic’s father, Srdjan Djokovic, said he was "disgusted" at the way his son was being treated.
"It's appalling what Novak has been going through," he told about 300 protesters.
"The worldwide support he is getting is worth more than dozens of grand slams,” he said. “They can't call this tournament of theirs an Open anymore when it's closed."
Djokovic, 34, initially received an exemption from local Australian officials despite tight restrictions on foreigners' entry amid a spike in infections.
Tennis Australia says his exception “was granted following a rigorous review process."
The Australian government has released a letter showing it wrote the tennis organizing body in November saying that prior infection with COVID-19 was not necessarily grounds for exemption in Australia.
Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews has said that a third vaccination exemption granted in connection with the Australian Open is being investigated.
Another player whose visa was canceled despite receiving a vaccination exemption has left the country. Czech women's doubles specialist Renata Voracova decided not to challenge the decision and left Australia on January 8, the Czech Foreign Ministry said.
