+ A
A -
World number one tennis player Novak Djokovic had aimed to play at the upcoming Australian Open but has had his visa cancelled for good on Sunday in connection with coronavirus rules. Following is a timeline of events in the case: December 10: The day marks the deadline for unvaccinated players to request a medical exemption in order to compete at the Australian Open January 17-30.
December 16: Novak Djokovic takes part at a Serbian postal service event in his honour. The positive test result comes in the evening and is part of the documents his legal team hands to Australian authorities. According to Serbian pandemic rules people who test positive and have no severe symptoms must isolate at home for 14 days.
December 17: Djokovic, who resides in Monaco, takes part in an awards ceremony for young tennis players in Belgrade, without a mask and social distancing.
December 18: Djokovic has a photo shooting with French sports paper L''Equipe.
December 22: Djokovic has undergone another test which according to him is negative.
December 30: According to his lawyers, Djokovic receives a medical exemption to compete at the Australian Open from the medical chief of Australia''s tennis federation.
End of 2021/early 2022: Social media footage shows Djokovic at a tennis club in Marbella, Spain.
January 5: Djokovic travels to Australia but is denied entry because he can''t provide adequate documentation for a medical exemption. He appeals and is placed in a detention hotel.
January 6: Djokovic''s father says his son is imprisoned in Melbourne and compares him to Jesus at a news conference. "Jesus was crucified and had to endure many things but still remains alive among us. Novak is also crucified who is the best sportsman and man in the world. He will endure", he said.
January 10: A Melbourne court upholds Djokovic''s appeal and nullifies the visa cancellation over procedural issues. The case is not over because Immigration Minister Alex Hawke can still cancel his visa again. Djokovic trains on the Australian Open centre court a little later.
January 11: Djokovic trains again while news reports claim he said in his visa application form that he didn''t travel in the 14 days before the flight to Australia.
January 12: Djokovic admits to a mistake that he met the L*Equipe team despite the positive test and said his agent accidently ticked the wrong box in the visa application concerning the travel in the previous 14 days.
January 13: Djokovic is drawn to play compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic in the first round of the Australian Open.
January 14: Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke cancels Djokovic''s visa again, naming him a danger to public health and fearing unrest. Djokovic appeals through his lawyers, with the Federal Court of Australia to deal with the appeal.
January 16: The three judges unanimously decide to dismiss Djokovic''s appeal. Djokovic expresses disappointment but respects the ruling while lucky loser Salvatore Caruso takes his place in the Australian Open draw.
