Djokovic confirmed at Australian Open despite visa uncertainty – archyworldys

MELBOURNE (Reuters) – World tennis number one Novak Djokovic was included in the official draw for the Australian Open tournament on Thursday, despite uncertainties surrounding his visa likely to be canceled a second time by the government.

The 34-year-old Serbian player was caught in a political and legal tangle after the controversy over his medical exemption to participate in the tournament, which prompted Canberra to revoke his visa, a decision overturned a few days later by the courts.

Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke, however, has discretion to cancel Novak Djokovic’s visa and does not rule out using it.

The player weakened his situation by acknowledging on Wednesday an error in his declaration of entry into Australia, wrongly certifying that he had not traveled in the 14 days preceding his arrival.

Novak Djokovic, who is aiming for a 21st Grand Slam title in Melbourne, trained Thursday at Rod Laver Arena, center court of the tournament. If his participation is not called into question by the government, he will face in the first round, Monday or Tuesday, his Serbian compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic.

The tournament organizer postponed the official draw for more than an hour without specifying the reason.

Due to an outbreak of the epidemic, the number of spectators allowed to attend the Australian Open will be limited to 50% of the event’s capacity, the state government of Victoria announced on Thursday, of which Melbourne is the capital.

(Report by Sonali Paul and Ian Ransom in Melbourne, John Mair in Sydney; written by Lincoln Feast; Blandine Hénault for the French version, edited by Bertrand Boucey)