Is there an extra sausage with a delay for tennis star Novak Djokovic (34)?
According to immigration law, the unvaccinated Serb who was expelled from Australia will not be allowed to go Down Under for the next three years. That means he will miss the Australian Open in 2023, 2024 and 2025. He would only be there again in 2026 – at the age of 38.
Foto: LOREN ELLIOTT/REUTERS
” data-zoom-src=”https://bilder.bild.de/fotos/auf-dem-flughafen-in-dubai-waren-fuer-novak-djokovic-first-selfies-announced-820acaf6d691456297dc6ce2eda11e49-78848568/Bild/ 3.image.jpg”/> Selfies were the first thing to do for Novak Djokovic at the airport in DubaiFoto: LOREN ELLIOTT/REUTERS
Or can the number 1 in the world go back earlier?
Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison (53) now gives him this hope. He said on Monday morning: “I will not do anything that would not allow the minister to make the necessary calls. It actually lasts three years, but you can return under the right circumstances. We are considering that.”
The minister means Immigration Secretary Alex Hawke (44). In the Djokovic case, he already had sole decision-making power at times in the past. He advocated expelling Djokovic for the health of the population. In his opinion, he could have strengthened the anti-vaccination movement if he had stayed in the country.
Meanwhile, the 20-time Grand Slam winner landed in Dubai after a thirteen and a half hour flight. After a three-and-a-half hour stay, FlyDubai continued on to Belgrade, where a kind of state reception is expected for him.
Photo: Lukas Coch/dpa
” data-zoom-src=”https://bilder.bild.de/fotos/australiens-premierminister-scott-morrison-macht-novak-djokovic-hope-for-a-return-to-aust-5f4a61537026401ba1fcc854a92dcef2-78848576/ picture/3.picture.jpg”/> Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison gives Novak Djokovic hope of returning to Australia as early as 2023Photo: Lukas Coch/dpa
Unusual for Djokovic: From Melbourne to Dubai he had to fly business class, otherwise he prefers first class. The tickets for 11,000 euros were already sold. There were only seats one class lower, without their own cabin, shower and a la carte restaurant.
He will therefore listen to Morrison’s words benevolently. That might be a small consolation.
