In a decision that will rock the world, Australia’s Federal Court has denied Novak Djokovic’s appeal to have his visa re-instated and he will not now compete in the Australian Open.
The news that the World Number 1 has been denied the chance to defend his title at the Australian Open will be seen by many as the latest disastrous decision by the Australian government which has been criticised for its severe Covid restrictions.
So far, there has been no reaction from the Serbian President who has given his full support to Djokovic during this complicated process. In the past few days the champion has tweeted his thanks to those who stood by him, including the crowds of supporters who travelled to the hotel where he has been held in quarantine.
As the reigning champion, Djokovic had been seeded number 1 for the tournament. That position will now be vacated and the seedings will be shuffled among other players according to a system that has already been arranged.
The organisers of the Australian Open will now have to try and salvage a tournament that has been completed overshadowed by the government’s poor handling of this situation. Their job will be made more difficult by the fact that many ticket-holders will be devastated at the absence of the reigning champion.
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