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12th Jan 2022

Australian government is reportedly preparing case to deport Novak Djokovic

Danny Jones

Novak could still be on his way home

The Australian government is reportedly considering deporting Novak Djokovic after all following a number of other details that have come out surrounding his ongoing visa saga.

With the Serbian tennis star now having admitted that he did not isolate after he returned a positive covid test, multiple outlets are now reporting that he could still be sent home despite having won his case for vaccine exemption.

A spokesperson for immigration minister Alex Hawke said that he is “currently considering the matter and the process remains ongoing,” while the Australian border force is set to further investigate whether he made a false travel claim regarding his whereabouts in the 14 days prior to arriving in the country.

Australian officials had already warned they would deport the 34-year-old if it turned out he had lied about his vaccine exemption status and regardless of whether he is ultimately allowed to play in the Australian Open, the likes of Andy Murray and much of the public are questioning the impact this may have on tennis.

Djokovic is currently being held in a quarantine hotel, the apparent conditions of which have been widely reported, with his mother Dijana even claiming he has even been “subjected to torture” during the investigation.

The final decision on whether he will stay for the tournament is expected to be handed down to the Department of Home Affairs on Thursday, with Djokovic hoping a reprieve will allow him to try and defend his AO title – one which would see him set a Grand Slam record for men’s singles.

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