Fresh queries over Novak Djokovic's travel documents as parents abruptly end press conference

The tennis champion headed for Melbourne Park to practise for the Australian Open after being freed from immigration detention, but he's still not assured of competing in the tournament.

Novak Djokovic's mother Diana (L), father Srdjan (C), and brother Djordje (R) leave the press conference in Belgrade, Serbia

Novak Djokovic's mother Dijana (L), father Srdjan (C), and brother Djordje (R) leave the press conference in Belgrade, Serbia Source: EPA

The family of Novak Djokovic has abruptly shut down a press conference in Serbia following a question from media about his movements in the days after testing positive to coronavirus.

Hours after the men's tennis world number one was , his family fronted the media in Belgrade.

Separately, fresh questions have been raised over his application to enter the country after he said he had not travelled overseas 14 days before arriving in Australia, but was filmed playing tennis in Belgrade and training in Spain in that period.
Documents released by the Federal Circuit Court reveal Djokovic told authorities he had not travelled in the 14 days before his flight to Australia.

The Monte Carlo-based Djokovic touched down in Melbourne just before midnight on Wednesday, answering "no" to the question about previous travel on his Australian Travel Declaration form.

The reigning Australian Open champ was filmed playing tennis in the streets of the Serbian capital Belgrade on Christmas Day and training in Spain on December 31 - both within the 14-day window.

The declaration notes that giving false or misleading information is a serious offence, while civil penalties are also available.

The Djokovic family had earlier confirmed the tennis star tested positive for COVID-19 on 16 December. 



"The process was public and all the documents were public or legal," Novak's brother Djorde told reporters.

A reporter then asked if he had then attended an event on 17 December, at which photos uploaded to social media showed Djokovic and a number of children not wearing masks.

"'OK, so this press conference is adjourned at the moment," Djordje said after a short pause.
Serbia's Novak Djokovic's father Srdjan, center, brother Djordje, right, and mother Dijana attend a press conference in Belgrade, Serbia, Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. Tennis star Novak Djokovic on Monday won a court battle to stay in Australia to contest the Au
Novak Djokovic's father Srdjan (centre), brother Djordje (right) and mother Dijana attend a press conference in Belgrade, Serbia. Source: AP
Earlier at the press conference, Djokovic's mother, according to a BBC translator, said her son, "was subjected to torture, to harassment" over his time in detention at Carlton's Park Hotel.

"We will hear even more about what he has gone through," she said.

Dijana Djokovic also said: "This is his biggest win in his career, it is bigger than any grand slams."

Father Srdjan added: 'They took away all his rights his rights, as a human being."
After his release from detention on Monday night, Djokovic headed for Rod Laver Arena to have a practice session in preparation for his planned Australian Open title defence and attempt to secure a record 21st grand slam title.

Tweeting a photograph of himself and his team on the complex's main court Djokovic 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 @AustralianOpen. 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.

For now I cannot say more but THANK YOU all for standing with me through all this and encouraging me to stay strong."

The post was followed by several prayer emojis.
The Serb was granted late-night access to the court to loosen his limbs and reacquaint himself with his tennis racquets after spending nearly a week under guard at the Park Hotel, and the day at his lawyers' chambers listening to the court case.

After several hours of legal argument he heard Federal Circuit Court Judge Anthony Kelly quash the decision to block his entry into Australia. The judge said Djokovic was given insufficient time to speak to Tennis Australia officials and to lawyers to respond to being told of the intent to cancel his visa.

However, he is still not assured of competing. A spokesman for Immigration Minister Alex Hawke said the minister was considering using discretionary powers given by Australia's Migration Act to again revoke Djokovic's visa.

Djordje Djokovic said Novak "went to Australia to play tennis, to try and win the Open and win the record he has been chasing for so many years."

"We love Australia, Novak loves Australia, he's won it so many times, we will keep on coming back," he said in Belgrade.
Following the court ruling on Monday, there were chaotic scenes in Melbourne as fans of the tennis world No.1 crowded around a car they thought was carrying Djokovic and chanted "Free Novak! Free Novak!"

Two police were injured and a man was arrested in the fracas.

The Djokovic saga has brought Australia's border policies and treatment of asylum seekers to the forefront of international attention.

Crowds of people have been protesting outside the Park Hotel in recent days to draw attention to the asylum seekers inside, some of whom have been in Australia's immigration system for nearly a decade and have not been allowed to leave detention centres during legal battles.

A fire has broken out at the facility in recent weeks and detainees .  

It's also been the site of a COVID-19 outbreak, where half of the detainees and around 20 staff became infected.

With AAP.


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5 min read
Published 11 January 2022 6:29am
Updated 11 January 2022 2:03pm
Source: SBS News



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