Djokovic debacle: The big questions remaining

The first Grand Slam of 2022 is just days away, but Andy Murray believes Novak Djokovic still needs to answer “a few questions” ahead of the Australian Open.

World No 1 Djokovic has been given the chance to win a record 21st Grand Slam men’s singles title after his visa cancellation was overturned, but could that decision be reversed again?

Here we look at the key questions that remain hanging over him, including a potential discrepancy regarding Djokovic’s whereabouts before travelling to Australia, and whether he is in the right state of mind to defend his title in Melbourne.

Could Djokovic still have his visa cancelled?

Australia’s Federal Immigration Minister Alex Hawke still retains the personal power to cancel Djokovic’s visa, despite the successful court case, and is said to be continuing to consider the decision carefully.

“All day on Tuesday we’ve been waiting to hear from the Federal Government and the Federal Immigration Minister Alex Hawke to find out whether he will allow Djokovic to stay and play,” Sky News reporter in Australia Nicole Johnston said on Tuesday.

“For now, it looks as if this decision may be delayed until Wednesday because it’s 6pm in Melbourne local time (on Tuesday) and no word from the Federal Government.”

On Tuesday, another statement was released by a spokesperson for Hawke: “As noted yesterday in the Federal Circuit and Family Court, Minister Hawke is considering whether to cancel Mr Djokovic’s visa.

“In line with due process, Minister Hawke will thoroughly consider the matter.”

Hawke is said to have three options at his disposal: he could leave things as they are with Djokovic in the country and in possession of a visa, he could re-cancel the visa and ban him from Australia for three years, or he could re-cancel the visa but not impose the ban of three years.

The personal power can be used to cancel a visa if a person poses a risk to “health, safety or good order of the Australian community or a segment of the Australian community” or the “health or safety of an individual or individuals”.

Did Djokovic lie on a travel declaration form?

The Australian Border Force is investigating a potential false claim from Djokovic within the Serb’s travel declaration form.

Court documents released show that Djokovic answered “no” to the question: “Have you travelled, or will you travel, in the 14 days prior to your flight to Australia?”

The question precedes a warning on the form: “Giving false or misleading information is a serious offence. You may also be liable to a civil penalty for giving false or misleading information.”

Social media posts appear to show Djokovic attending events in both Belgrade, Serbia and Marbella, Spain during the 14-day period before departing to Australia via Dubai on January 4.

Djokovic would need to have remained in the same country from December 21, but images show he was in Belgrade on December 25, playing tennis in the streets and pictured with handball player Petar Djordjic, and then in Marbella from December 31 until catching his flight to Australia.

The December 31 video footage uploaded by a tennis training academy shows Djokovic training in Marbella, as do other pictures presented on Twitter. “We can confirm Novak Djokovic is ready for the Australian if possible!” said the Soto Tennis Academy when uploading the footage.

Djokovic, in an affidavit submitted in court, says his agent filled out and submitted the travel form under his authorisation.

What did Djokovic do after his positive Covid Test?

“I think there are still a few questions that need to be answered around the isolation and stuff, which I’m sure we’ll hear from him in the next few days,” Murray said on Tuesday, regarding another major sticking point for Djokovic – one which is leaving a particularly bad taste around the world.

Djokovic’s supposed positive Covid-19 result was recorded on December 16, and is the basis for which he was granted a medical exemption by Tennis Australia.

The reason this has received negative attention is that social media posts and pictures from Djokovic’s own Twitter account prove that on December 16 he attended a gathering with the Serbian national postal service, accepting the launching of a stamp in his honour. The 34-year-old posted about it a day later on December 17.

Pictures shared by the Belgrade tennis federation also show that on December 17, he attended an event in the city for young tennis players, handing out awards.

French outlet L’Equipe also revealed that Djokovic attended a photoshoot for their “Champion of Champions 2021” trophy presentation on December 18.

On all three occasions, Djokovic was not wearing a mask.

On Monday, Djokovic’s parents, Srdan and Dijana, and brother Djordje held a press conference speaking in emotional terms regarding the treatment of the world No 1.

Within the press call, Djordje Djokovic was then asked about Novak’s whereabouts around December 16, replying: “The process was public and all the documents are public and legal.”

When asked again by another reporter things took a somewhat farcical turn, however, as under prompting from his parents, Djordje Djokovic said: “Okay, so this press conference is adjourned at the moment, thank you for your attention,” refusing to answer, abruptly ending the conference and prompting applause.

Will this saga harm Djokovic’s Australian Open chances?

Djokovic wasted no time after Monday’s hearing overturned his visa cancellation. Within hours, the 34-year-old was training on Rod Laver Arena, the court he hopes to be lifting a 10th Australian Open title on come January 30.

Providing Djokovic is allowed to remain in the country, his focus will be on securing a 21st Grand Slam singles title, a tally that would see him become the outright record holder in men’s tennis.

The days spent in a detention hotel will have taken their toll, but Djokovic said he is “focused” on making history this month.

Asked about Djokovic’s prospects of winning the tournament, former British No 1 Andrew Castle told Sky Sports News: “I wouldn’t be surprised.

“He’s such a stubborn and hard-working guy on court, if he gets this exemption and if the Australian government don’t supersede the court, I would say that he’s going to tee it up and play.

“If he can get through two, three, four rounds, and play his way into the tournament – we know how good he is – I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see him into the second week of this grand slam once again, because he is so stubborn and so good.”

How will the Melbourne crowd react?

Castle added: “They’re undergoing a huge wave over there and this is a man who, waving his medical exemption around, said ‘I’m on my way down’.

“It was unsubtle, it was tone deaf and it was a PR disaster for him, kind of igniting this whole debate and, who knows, might have influenced the action of the government as well.

“He can stand on his own two feet. But he can expect a tough reaction.”