Summary

  • Novak Djokovic has returned to the tennis court after winning a legal battle in Australia that overturned his visa cancellation

  • "I'm pleased and grateful," the unvaccinated tennis star tweets after midnight local time, alongside a picture of himself back in training

  • "Justice has won and the rule of law has won," his father tells the media at a family press conference in Serbia

  • The family refuse to answer questions about Djokovic attending indoor events after he tested positive for Covid in December

  • Djokovic's lawyers argued in court that the visa cancellation at Melbourne airport last week was unreasonable and the judge agreed

  • But Australia's immigration minister still has powers to re-cancel the reinstated visa and deport the tennis player

  • The Australian Open begins on 17 January and if Djokovic wins, he will become the most successful men's player in history

  1. Djokovic family to hold news conferencepublished at 09:30 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2022

    The BBC understands Novak Djokovic's family plans to hold a news conference in Belgrade at midday local time, 11:00 GMT.

    Novak Djokovic's family at a rally in support of the tennis player outside Serbia's National AssemblyImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Djokovic's family at a rally for the tennis player outside Serbia's National Assembly

  2. Rumours of Djokovic's 'arrest' are unconfirmedpublished at 09:28 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2022

    You might have seen reports that Djokovic has been detained in Melbourne - some media outlets in Serbia are reporting that Djokovic is facing arrest, following a ministerial intervention, and the player's father reportedly told some outlets that his son had been "arrested". Djokovic's brother Djodje has also been quoted as saying: "We are getting information that the Minister of the Interior is obviously above the court."

    But there has been no official news about any arrest. Paul Sakkal, a political reporter for Australian newspaper The Age, says the claims of arrest are "inaccurate", and the country's immigration minister is still deciding on whether Djokovic's visa should be re-cancelled.

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  3. 'Drama may not be over' - former officialpublished at 09:12 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2022

    Abul Rizvi, a former official in Australia’s Department of Immigration, told the BBC that even if Djokovic is allowed to play, "the Australian public will be angry at what’s happened here", and angry that the star "did not get himself vaccinated".

    “Assuming that the Australian government doesn’t try to cancel his visa again and he is actually allowed to play at the Australian Open, I think there will be a lot of difficulties for Djokovic from the Australian crowds," he said.

    “I think if Tennis Australia and Mr Djokovic were to think this through, they would announce some very significant health measures to ensure that there is no risk to public health from the tennis tournament more generally and from Mr Djokovic in particular."

  4. Subdued atmosphere as fans wait for government's next movepublished at 09:05 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2022

    Shaimaa Khalil
    Australia correspondent in Melbourne

    The mood is changing quickly in Federation Square, in the heart of Melbourne, where Novak Djokovic’s supporters have gathered. They moved here from outside the court to start their celebrations, chanting "Freedom" and "Nole" - Djokovic’s nickname - but now the atmosphere seems more subdued.

    There’s an air of confusion about what exactly is happening with Novak, where he is and whether the government will make another move to cancel his visa and deport him. “Do you what’s happening with him?”, many are asking each other.

    Some supporters are on the phone with their relatives in Serbia asking what the media there is reporting. “I don’t want to celebrate too soon,” Yelelna Stancovic told me.

    The last two hours have gone from cheers and jubilation back to uncertainty.

    Supporters in Federation square
  5. Kyrgios tests positive for Covidpublished at 09:01 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2022

    Nick KyrgiosImage source, Getty Images

    Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios has tested positive for Covid-19 but is still hopeful of competing at the Australian Open next week.

    Kyrgios was due to play his first match of the season at the Sydney Classic on Monday but pulled out just hours before his first round match with Italian Fabio Fognini.

    "I just want to be open and transparent with everyone, the reason I have had to pull out of Sydney is because I tested positive for Covid," Kyrgios said on Instagram.

    "I am feeling healthy at the moment with no symptoms. I wish everyone all the best and to stay safe where you can. If all goes well I will see you all at the Australian Open."

    Kyrgios offered his support to Novak Djokovic over the weekend, saying his country's handling of the dispute has been "really bad" and urged officials to "do better".

    The Australian Open begins in Melbourne on 17 January.

  6. No sign of Djokovicpublished at 08:53 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2022

    Security presence outside the lawyers office in Melbourne

    It's been about two hours since the judge ruled that Djokovic should be released from detention.

    The tennis star has been at a lawyer's office in Melbourne throughout the ruling and appears to still be there.

    There's a big security and media presence outside the building, but no sign of Djokovic yet.

  7. Tennis star losing days of crucial training timepublished at 08:41 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2022

    Amy Lofthouse
    BBC Sport

    Djokovic was meant to play for Serbia in the ATP Cup, the men’s team tournament played in Melbourne in the build-up to the first Grand Slam of the year.

    However, he withdrew from the team before the issue of his visa and vaccination status came to light. All players want to get acclimatised to where they are playing, particularly in Australia, where the heat and humidity brings its own challenges.

    Players generally arrive a fortnight before the Slam to practise and see how the Melbourne courts are playing, allowing them to adjust and develop their game plans.

    Djokovic is one of the fittest players in the men’s game but even he will struggle with little to no preparation time.

  8. Transcript reveals moment Djokovic is given notice that his visa may be cancelledpublished at 08:16 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2022

    As we mentioned earlier, the transcripts of Djokovic's interviews with border force have been released.

    This section catches the moment the tennis star is given notice that his visa may be cancelled and he now has 20 minutes to argue why his visa shouldn't be cancelled.

    The interviewer says Djokovic can request more time.

    Djokovic: "So you're giving me legally 20 minutes to try to provide additional information that I don’t have?

    "At 4 o clock in the morning? I mean you kind of put me in a very awkward position where at 4 in the morning I can’t call director of Tennis Australia, I can’t engage with anybody from the Victorian state government through Tennis Australia.

    "I just you put me in a very uncomfortable position. I don’t know what else can I tell you. I mean I-I-I-I everything that that they -- I was asked to do is here."

    "And I wouldn’t be here sitting in front of you if I if I wasn’t complying to all the rules and regulations set by your government. So I just -- I don’t know what I I mean -- to me it is a little bit shocking that you are have -- that you are going to give me the notice to cancel my visa based on what?

  9. 'What more could Djokovic have done?'published at 07:59 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2022

    Shaimaa Khalil
    Australia Correspondent

    Judge Kelly asked this question earlier today, echoing the arguments of Novak Djokovic's lawyer, Nick Wood.

    Mr Wood had argued that the player had done "everything required of him by Tennis Australia", which granted him the exemption from the country's entry rules requiring foreigners to be fully vaccinated.

    The government's lawyers had not even begun their submissions. But much about Judge Kelly's tone in the hearing felt quite telling.

    He described how the tennis star was held for hours after a long journey, and was rushed to accept the decision that his visa has been revoked without being given time to consult his lawyers or Tennis Australia.

    It felt like the government's lawyers would have a tough job on their hands. In the end, it seems they did too.

  10. Farage celebrates Djokovic releasepublished at 07:47 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2022

    Nigel Farage has tweeted his reaction to Novak Djokovic's release.

    Mr Farage has been outspoken in his support for Djokovic and flew to Serbia ahead of the tennis player's court hearing.

    His stance has already drawn plenty of mockery on social media given he is the UK's best-known Brexit-backing politician who called for tighter control of Britain's borders.

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  11. Transcript confirms Djokovic is unvaccinatedpublished at 07:41 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2022

    Now that the ruling has been announced, a number of documents related to the case have been released including part of the tennis star's interview with border force.

    In this interview, Djokovic announces that he has not been vaccinated.

    Interviewer: "What are your reasons for travelling to Australia today?"

    Djokovic: "I'm a professional tennis player and the main reason for me coming to Australia is participating in the Australian Open in Melbourne."

    Interviewer: "Now question regarding your vaccination - are you vaccinated?"

    Djokovic: "I am not vaccinated."

    He then tells the interviewer that he has tested positive for Covid twice - in June 2020 and on 16 December 2021.

  12. 'Stakes have risen'published at 07:29 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2022

    As we mentioned earlier, Judge Anthony Kelly said that the government's decision to revoke Djokovic's visa was "unreasonable".

    He said that Djokovic had not been given enough time to speak with tournament organisers or lawyers after his detention.

    Judge Kelly had earlier criticised the long detention of the tennis star upon his arrival in Melbourne.

    But the Immigration minister could still use his personal power to cancel Djokovic's visa.

    Judge Kelly warned the government that the "stakes have now risen, rather than receded".

  13. Case a 'giant distraction strategy', former PM sayspublished at 07:28 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2022

    Former Australian PM Kevin Rudd has labelled the case against Djokovic a "giant distraction strategy when out in the real world people can't get tested".

    Testing services in New South Wales have been struggling with high demand since December amid surging infections.

    Australians have faced weeks of hours-long queues at testing clinics - often to be turned away - and the wait for test results has also blown out.

    Mr Morrison has been under immense political pressure over the handling of the Omicron wave. Critics have suggested he may have chosen to use the Djokovic case as an opportunity to appear tough on the country's border policies.

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  14. Dancing and cheering as Djokovic releasedpublished at 07:20 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2022

    Jubilant Novak Djokovic supporters erupted in celebration outside the court in Melbourne when news of the tennis player's release was confirmed.

    The BBC's Shaimaa Khalil was at the scene.

    Media caption,

    BBC reporter describes reaction to Djokovic release

  15. Djokovic supporters celebrate court rulingpublished at 07:09 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2022

    Katie Silver
    BBC News, Melbourne

    Djokovic supporters outside the court hearing.
    Image caption,

    Djokovic supporters have been waiting for hours for the ruling

    There was jubilation among the Serbian-Australian community outside the court when the ruling was announced.

    Some 100 supporters of the tennis star have been camped outside the court during the hearing. Before this, they spent days outside the hotel where Djokovic was believed to be staying during his detention.

    It's not yet certain that Djokovic will play in the Australian Open starting on 17 January.

    The government's lawyers have warned that Australia's immigration minister has the executive power to overturn the court's decision.

    If that happens, the judge warned that Djokovic, currently the world's number one men's tennis player, won’t be able to return to Australia for three years.

  16. More details on the court orderpublished at 07:01 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2022

    Here’s a bit more detail of what the Federal Circuit Court ordered today:

    1. The government’s decision to cancel Djokovic’s visa is “quashed”, that is overturned
    2. The government will pay Djokovic’s legal costs
    3. Djokovic will be released from detention immediately. Such release must occur by no later than 30 minutes within the making of this order,” said Judge Anthony Kelly
    4. Djokovic’s passport and personal items are to be returned to him immediately.
  17. Reporters gather outside Djokovic's lawyers' officepublished at 06:56 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2022

    A crowd of reporters have stationed themselves outside Djokovic's lawyers' office - where the tennis player is speculated to be - in the hopes of catching a glimpse of him.

    A crowd of reporters have stationed themselves outside Djokovic's lawyers' office, where the tennis player is rumoured to be headed after court proceedings adjourned.
  18. Government may attempt to cancel visa againpublished at 06:42 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2022

    While the court has ruled in Djokovic's favour, government lawyer Chris Tran said Australia's immigration minister may consider cancelling Djokovic's visa again.

    Under Australia's immigration law, the minister has exceptional powers and discretion to cancel visas for whatever reason. Mr Tran did not specify the grounds under which Djokovic's visa could be cancelled again.

    The judge noted that if the minister made that decision, Djokovic could be banned for three years from Australia.

  19. Djokovic wins case in triumphant hearingpublished at 06:32 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2022

    So there we have it, Djokovic has won his case just hours after his lawyers' argument.

    The court saw a lengthy pause after the government's lawyers presented their opening.

    It now is clear that adjournment was time during which the government withdrew their case.

    Judge Anthony Kelly has ruled that Djokovic's visa cancellation order is "quashed" immediately.

    This means his visa is now valid and he can enter Australia.

  20. Djokovic to be releasedpublished at 06:22 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2022
    Breaking

    The court has ruled that Novak Djokovic will be released, after the judge found unreasonableness in how the border official made his decision cancelling the visa.