Australian Open: Novak Djokovic to be detained ahead of Sunday hearing
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic is set to be detained on Saturday before his visa hearing, which is scheduled to take place on Sunday.
The drama regarding the Serb's visa has shown no signs of abating as we head closer to the start of the Australian Open. Djokovic landed in Melbourne last week but was held at a detention facility after Australian Border Force officials revoked his visa.
The World No. 1 decided to appeal the decision and won the case in court. However, Immigration Minister Alex Hawke took matters into his own hands and canceled Djokovic's visa for a second time on Friday.
A copy of the minister's letter rescinding Djokovic's visa https://t.co/FP0tHZbtjU
Afraid this is going to rumble on for the rest of the weekend. Novak Djokovic set to be detained tomorrow morning and his hearing will take place on Sunday.
Novak Djokovic's case to be transferred to federal court
A directions hearing took place on Friday at the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. Judge Anthony Kelly, who had previously ruled that Djokovic be released from detention, presided over the hearing.
The Serb's lawyer Nick Wood said he desired the same outcome as the earlier case, which was for Hawke's decision to be quashed and Djokovic to be released from detention.
Nick Wood SC says Novak Djokovic is seeking the same relief as in the earlier proceeding - that the decision be quashed and he be released from detention.
He says they can be more ambitious on timing and think they can file a formal application by 10.15pm today.
Stephen Lloyd, who is representing Alex Hawke, said the Immigration Minister would not seek Djokovic's deportation until a final verdict on the matter is reached. He also said the Serb would be allowed time with his lawyers on Saturday as long as Australian Border Force officials are present on the same floor as them.
Stephen Lloyd for Alex Hawke is up now. He says the minister is prepared to give an undertaking that he will not seek to have Djokovic deported until a final decision is made (in whichever court hears it).
Judge Kelly ordered Djokovic's legal team to file a formal application and affidavit as soon as they could. He also asked for an undertaking from Hawke, saying Djokovic would not be deported from Australia until the final verdict.
According to Judge Kelly, Djokovic will be taken to an interview with immigration officials at 8 am on Saturday, then to his lawyer's office from 10 am to 2 pm. At 9 am on Sunday, the Serb will be taken back to his lawyers' office for the court hearing under the supervision of two Border Force officials.
He says Djokovic should be taken to the interview with immigration officials at 8am tomorrow, then to his lawyers office from 10am until 2pm. Then from 9am Sunday he should be taken back to his lawyers offices for the court hearing - supervised by two ABF officers.
With the Australian Open only a few days away, we will soon get to know whether Novak Djokovic will be able to defend his crown.
As of now, the Serb is scheduled to take on compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic in the first round and could potentially face great rival Rafael Nadal in the semifinals.