Novak Djokovic again in custody in Australia

Novak Djokovic, world number one in men’s tennis, has been stopped and placed in custody by immigration officials in Melbourne, Australia’s AAP news agency reported. Although the Serbian tennis star’s visa was canceled a second time on Friday, he was only arrested after being heard by immigration officials on Saturday. A gray off-road vehicle and a white van left his lawyer’s office just before 3:00 pm. The tennis star, who is rumored not to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, will likely be held in immigration jail overnight before a scheduled hearing in the Melbourne Federal Court. A procedural hearing on Djokovic’s visa case was held in Melbourne on Saturday morning. The Serbian champion filed an appeal against his second visa cancellation after Immigration Minister Alex Hawke canceled it for reasons of health and good order. The Serb cannot be expelled while the legal dispute is ongoing. At Saturday’s hearing, lawyers debated whether the case should be held before more than one judge. Sunday’s hearing time has been set and the session has been adjourned. The 34-year-old tennis star, who was scheduled to play at the Australian Open starting Monday in Melbourne, will attend Sunday’s hearing. Judge Anthony Kelly of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia had referred the case to the Federal Court in an emergency hearing Friday after Immigration Minister Alex Hawke canceled the tennis player’s visa.