Novak Djokovic detained as he awaits visa hearing

Tennis player Garbine Muguruza.

Two-time grand slam champion and current women’s world No. 3 Garbine Muguruza said the Novak Djokovic media frenzy could have been “avoided” if the men’s world No. 1 had gotten vaccinated, like other tennis players entering Australia to play in the tournament.

When asked if the Djokovic visa saga affects the average person’s opinion of international tennis players, Muguruza responded with a “yes.”

Tennis player Rafael Nadal.

Rafael Nadal told reporters in Melbourne on Saturday that no one player is more important than the Australian Open. That includes himself, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, he said.

“It’s very clear that Novak Djokovic is one of the best players,” Nadal said, but added the Australian Open is “much more important than any player.”

Nadal said the tournament would be great “with or without” Djokovic.

When asked about the situation surrounding Djokovic, and what it could mean for his legacy, Nadal said he didn’t know.

“I wish him all the very best,” Nadal said, adding he had a “good relationship” with Djokovic during his career.

He said he respected Djokovic as a “person and as an athlete” even if he did “not agree with a lot of things (Djokovic) did the last couple of weeks.”

“I wish him all the best,” Nadal said.

Nadal, seeded sixth, is on the same half of the draw as Djokovic in the Australian Open. But the two will not meet until the semifinals, if both players get that far.

Of Nadal’s 20 major titles, just one is an Australian Open victory — which he won in 2009.

Tennis player Naomi Osaka.

Defending Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka was asked for her thoughts on the situation swirling around Novak Djokovic on Saturday in Melbourne, ahead of the tournament.

Osaka told reporters she didn’t think her “thoughts are important,” calling it an “unfortunate situation.”

“He’s such a great player, and it’s kind of sad that some people might remember him in this way,” Osaka said.

Read her full answer below:

Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke on Friday said that Novak Djokovic’s ongoing presence in Australia may lead to “increase in anti-vaccination sentiment” or even “civil unrest” as part of the reason of canceling his visa, court filings show. 

In a 10-page decision memorandum seen by CNN, Hawke said Djokovic’s refusal to get vaccinated against Covid-19 may not only “pose a health risk to the Australian community,” but may also disrupt the “good order” of the society.  

Hawke went on to say that Djokovic’s continuing presence may lead to increases in rallies and protests, which may themselves be a source of community transmission. 

Djokovic, the world’s top-ranked men’s tennis player, has had his visa revoked twice by immigration officials because he is not vaccinated against Covid-19.

He is being detained by Australian immigration officials ahead of a decisive court hearing Sunday, where detailed arguments will be presented on whether the tennis star should be deported. 

Novak Djokovic was detained by Australian border authorities on Saturday morning, as per a court-ordered arrangement decided Friday. The world’s top-ranked men’s tennis player, has had his visa revoked twice by immigration officials because he is not vaccinated against Covid-19.

What has happened: Djokovic’s visa was revoked for the second time on Friday by Australia’s immigration minister, Alex Hawke.

Hawke on Friday said that Novak Djokovic’s ongoing presence in Australia may lead to “increase in anti-vaccination sentiment” or even “civil unrest” as part of the reason of canceling his visa, court filings show.

Djokovic’s legal team challenged the Friday ruling, and the case was transferred up the chain to Australia’s Federal Court.

The Australian government agreed not to deport Djokovic over the weekend before his case has concluded.

Djokovic will spend Saturday night in pre-immigration detention while his case is debated in court.

Judge Anthony Kelly who presided over Friday’s hearing, said Djokovic will be allowed to visit his lawyers’ offices Saturday to prepare for his Sunday hearing, before eventually being moved back into pre-immigration detention, as required under Australian law. 

What’s to come: The court will hear detailed oral arguments in his case on Sunday.

If Djokovic’s appeal is successful, that timetable would allow him to compete in the Australian Open on Monday.

Djokovic remains listed in the tournament draw and is due to face Miomir Kecmanovic.

Australia’s Federal Court will hear detailed oral arguments in Novak Djokovic’s visa cancellation case on Sunday. 

Djokovic’s legal team, which is being led by barristers Nick Wood SC and Paul Holdenson QC, will submit their filings in the case to the Federal Court by 12 p.m. local time Saturday (8 p.m. ET Friday).

The lawyers acting on behalf of the Australian government will then be given until 10 p.m. local (6 a.m. ET Saturday). 

The court will consider Saturday whether the case should be heard in front of one or three Federal Court judges. 

Djokovic is expected to spend Saturday night in pre-immigration detention as his court case is ongoing.

Novak Djokovic was detained by Australian border authorities on Saturday morning, as per a court-ordered arrangement decided Friday.

Djokovic, the world’s top-ranked men’s tennis player, has had his visa revoked twice by immigration officials because he is not vaccinated against Covid-19.

The tennis star was interviewed by the Australian Border Force at 8 a.m. Saturday local time (4 p.m. ET Friday). It was agreed between both parties in the case that the location would remain “undisclosed” to the public in order to keep the tennis star safe and avoid a “media circus.”

Djokovic is expected to spend Saturday night in pre-immigration detention as his case is debated in Australia’s Federal Court.

Zoran Gojkovic, Serbian Health Official

Novak Djokovic should have received notification of his positive Covid-19 PCR test results on Dec. 16 — as outlined by the timestamp on his test certificate — a Serbian health official said Friday, despite Djokovic’s claim that he did not receive official notification of the test results until Dec. 17.  

Pressed by CNN on whether such a discrepancy between the time listed on the certificate and the time of notification via email — as claimed by Djokovic — could be possible, provincial health secretary Zoran Gojkovic said the result should have been received late in the evening of Dec. 16.  

According to court filings, Djokovic took an official and approved PCR test on Dec. 16 — the results of which were generated after 8 p.m. on the same day, as outlined by the timestamp on the test certificate.  

However, Djokovic claimed in a Jan. 12 statement that he did not receive notification of the positive PCR test result until the next day — after attending a tennis event, where he was photographed, without a mask, meeting with children.  

A spokesperson for the Serbian prime minister echoed Gojkovic’s remarks, telling CNN after the news conference there is “no way in the world that he didn’t get the notification — no way in the world it could have been late by a day.” 

Anecdotally, the results of a PCR test carried out by one CNN producer in Belgrade on Thursday were received via email two minutes after the time listed on the results certificate. Others who have been tested, however, say the time for results to be emailed can vary.  

CNN has reached out to Djokovic’s representatives for comment.

Novak Djokovic was detained by Australian border authorities on Saturday morning, as per a court-ordered arrangement decided Friday heard by CNN in open court.

The move follows a decision by Australia’s immigration minister Alex Hawke to revoke the tennis star’s visa on Friday after days of deliberation about whether to eject the 34-year-old Serbian from the country.  

Djokovic is accused of providing false information on his Australian visa declaration, specifically that he hadn’t traveled in the 14 days before his arrival in the country. 

Djokovic’s lawyers are appealing the decision, and his case to stay in Australia will be heard on Saturday before the country’s Federal Court following an emergency hearing before Judge Anthony Kelly in the Federal Circuit and Family Court on Friday. 

If Djokovic’s bid fails, he could be deported.

Tennis star Novak Djokovic was detained by Australian border authorities on Saturday morning, as per a court-ordered arrangement decided Friday. 

Djokovic, the world’s top-ranked men’s tennis player, has had his visa revoked twice by immigration officials because he is not vaccinated against Covid-19.

Some background: Novak Djokovic v Minister for Immigration, as the case file is known, was officially transferred from the Federal Circuit Court to the Federal Court of Australia late Friday night local time.

Justice David O’Callaghan will now oversee the case, with an initial hearing scheduled at 10:15 a.m. Saturday local time (6:15 p.m. ET Friday). 

Tennis star Novak Djokovic is meeting now with Australian authorities before his case to stay in country is heard before the Federal Court of Australia later today.

Justice David O’Callaghan will now oversee the case, with an initial hearing scheduled at 10:15 a.m. Saturday local time (6:15 p.m. ET Friday). 

Tennis star Novak Djokovic will be detained again by Australian authorities Saturday before his case to stay in country is heard before the Federal Court. 

The decision was made during an emergency hearing before Judge Anthony Kelly in the Federal Circuit and Family Court on Friday, following Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke’s decision to cancel Djokovic’s visa for a second time.

The tennis star will be interviewed by the Australian Border Force at 8 a.m. Saturday local time (4 p.m. ET Friday) at an undisclosed location “agreed between the parties” in the case.

At that point, Djokovic will be officially detained by two border force officials and escorted to his lawyers’ office while his case is heard in the Federal court. 

The location where Djokovic will be met by border officials will remain secret in order to keep the tennis star safe and prevent “a media circus.”

Novak Djokovic v Minister for Immigration, as the case file is known, was officially transferred from the Federal Circuit Court to the Federal Court of Australia late Friday night local time.

Justice David O’Callaghan will now oversee the case, with an initial hearing scheduled at 10:15 a.m. Saturday local time (6:15 p.m. ET Friday). 

Wood told the court that the Immigration Minister had used his personal power to cancel the 34-year-old’s visa based on grounds he would “excite anti-vax sentiment” should he remain in Australia, describing it as a “radically different approach” in the government’s argument. 

“The underlying new rationale is not a direct risk to others, it’s that Mr Djokovic being in Australia, in Melbourne in particular, by being here will excite anti-vax sentiment. That’s the point. A radically different approach,” Wood said. 

Netflix announced on Friday that it has partnered with the four tennis grand slam tournaments as well as the men’s and women’s tennis tours to produce a documentary series depicting a year in the life of professional tennis players. A Netflix spokesperson tells CNN the series has been filming in Australia leading up to the Australian Open, and upon its release, the series will cover Novak Djokovic’s visa issue.

Netflix says the series will provide an “unfiltered look at life inside the competitive sport of professional tennis through the perspective of the players and their teams.”

A news release from Netflix did not provide a premiere date for the still untitled docuseries. It is being produced by Box to Box Films.

CNN’s David Close contributed to this report

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić is seen during a press conference in Belgrade, Sebria, in October 2020.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić posted a video on his official Instagram Friday calling out Australia for the way officials are handling “the world’s best Serbian tennis player.”

He added that Serbia will “fight for Djokovic” and he will “remain the best tennis player of all time.”

Vučić said he is upset with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison for welcoming the Australian immigration minister’s decision to revoke Novak Djokovic’s visa.

Where things stand: The tennis star is being placed back in detention by Australian authorities on Saturday after his visa was revoked for a second time.

Immigration minister Alex Hawke announced the decision to revoke the tennis star’s visa in a statement on Friday after days of deliberation about whether to eject the 34-year-old Serbian from Australia.

CNN’s Tihana Bajić contributed to this post.

Serbian Novak Djokovic pictured at a training session ahead of the Australian Open tennis Grand Slam on Wednesday 12 January in Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia.

Novak Djokovic will be detained by Australian immigration officials Saturday, ahead of a decisive court hearing Sunday where detailed arguments will be presented on whether the tennis star should be deported. 

Judge Anthony Kelly who presided over the hearing, said the government had agreed not to deport Djokovic before the case has concluded. 

Kelly also said Djokovic will be allowed to visit his lawyers’ offices Saturday to prepare for his Sunday hearing, before eventually being moved back into pre-immigration detention, as required under Australian law. 

An initial hearing in the case has been scheduled to take place in Australia’s Federal Court at 10:15 a.m. Saturday local time (6.15 p.m. ET Friday) and will be overseen by Justice David O’Callaghan.

In a late-night court hearing Friday, Djokovic’s barrister Nick Wood requested that written submissions from both sides in the case be submitted to the courts by end of day Saturday.

What could happen next: Once those submissions are made, a more detailed appeal hearing is expected on Sunday. 

If the appeal is successful, that timetable in court would allow Djokovic to play in the Australian Open on Monday. 

Djokovic remains listed in the tournament draw and is due to face Miomir Kecmanovic.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia rests during a practice session ahead of the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia on 14 January.

Tennis star Novak Djokovic will be detained again by Australian authorities Saturday before his case to stay in country is heard before the Federal Court. 

The decision was made during an emergency hearing before Judge Anthony Kelly in the Federal Circuit and Family Court on Friday, following Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke’s decision to cancel Djokovic’s visa for a second time.

The tennis star will be interviewed by the Australian Border Force at 8 a.m. Saturday local time (4 p.m. ET Friday) at an undisclosed location “agreed between the parties” in the case.

At that point, Djokovic will be officially detained by two border force officials and escorted to his lawyers’ office while his case is heard in the Federal court. 

The location where Djokovic will be met by border officials will remain secret in order to keep the tennis star safe and prevent “a media circus.”

Novak Djokovic v Minister for Immigration, as the case file is known, was officially transferred from the Federal Circuit Court to the Federal Court of Australia late Friday night local time.

Justice David O’Callaghan will now oversee the case, with an initial hearing scheduled at 10:15 a.m. Saturday local time (6:15 p.m. ET Friday). 

Wood told the court that the Immigration Minister had used his personal power to cancel the 34-year-old’s visa based on grounds he would “excite anti-vax sentiment” should he remain in Australia, describing it as a “radically different approach” in the government’s argument. 

“The underlying new rationale is not a direct risk to others, it’s that Mr Djokovic being in Australia, in Melbourne in particular, by being here will excite anti-vax sentiment. That’s the point. A radically different approach,” Wood said. 

Serbia's Miomir Kecmanovic gestures during the men's singles quarter-final tennis match between Serbia and Kazakhstan of the Davis Cup tennis tournament at the Madrid arena in Madrid, Spain, on December 1.

The Australian Open has confirmed that players in the top half of both the men’s and women’s singles draw will play their opening round matches on Monday.

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic is in that top half of the draw and is scheduled to play fellow Serb Miomir Kecmanovic on Monday — depending of course on how the legal arguments pan out over the cancellation of 34-year-old Serbian’s visa.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to the media during a press conference following a national cabinet meeting, at Parliament House in Canberra, Thursday, January 13.

The decision to revoke Novak Djokovic’s visa for a second time has been prompted plenty of reaction.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the decision by Immigration Minister Alex Hawke serves to protect Australia during the pandemic.

While many have either blamed Djokovic or the Australian Government during the case, tennis analyst Darren Cahill, who has coached some of the world’s leading players – past and present – says “fault lies everywhere here.”

“It’s been a mess,” he tweeted. “Novak, TA [Tennis Australia], Vic Gov [Victoria Government], Federal Gov.”

Kevin Rudd, the former Prime Minister of Australia, called the decision to once again revoke Djokovic’s visa as “one big political distraction from empty shelves & the national shortage of boosters & RATs [Rapid Antigen Tests].”

Former Serbian tennis player Janko Tipsarevic, who reached a career high of No. 8 in the world, has been left decidedly unimpressed by what has transpired.

“Toxic shame on each and everyone involved in this process,” he tweeted.

A general view of the Park Hotel in Carlton on January 06 in Melbourne, Australia.

Australia’s immigration officials will seek to interview Novak Djokovic at 8 a.m. local time on Saturday (Friday 4 p.m. ET) and detain him shortly after.

The world men’s tennis No.1 has been asked to “present himself” for an interview with authorities, though his lawyers are currently contesting that request in open court.

Djokovic’s barrister Nick Wood told the court that the 34-year-old tennis player has not been taken into immigration detention yet and remains at a “residential address.”

Owen Dixon Commonwealth Law Courts building, where the hearing of Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic is held at the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, is seen in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, January 14.

The decision to cancel Novak Djokovic’s visa a second time is “patently irrational,” his barrister Nick Wood argued in an emergency court hearing Friday.

“Has your Honor had time to read the reasons of the minister?” Wood asked Judge Anthony Kelly in court Friday.

Wood went on to claim Immigration Minister Alex Hawke had canceled Djokovic’s visa on grounds that his presence in the country could “excite anti-vaccination sentiment.”

He described the reasoning as “patently irrational,” calling it a “radically new approach” by the federal government to eject the tennis star from the country.