The statement prepared by the lawyers of Novak Djoković has been made public. The 268-page document gives an idea of how Serb’s legal team plans to fight the key Australian authorities’ claim that its anti-vaccine views are a valid basis for visa annulment.
Australian Minister on Djokovic’s views
– The Australian government says that the presence of Novak Djokovic for two weeks at the Australian Open could threaten life and social order, increasing anti-vaccination sentiment and disregard for COVID-19 rules – informs “The Age”.
“Given Mr. Djokovic’s position as a role model in the sporting and wider community, his presence in Australia may favor a similar disregard for precautionary requirements after receiving a positive COVID-19 test. In particular, Djokovic’s behavior may encourage or influence others to follow.” his previous behavior and not adhering to appropriate health measures after passing the test, which in itself could lead to disease transmission and a serious risk. “
Djokovic’s lawyers reply
Djokovic’s lawyers decided to adopt the rules of the game proposed by Hawke and address the “public interest” argument invoked by the minister. They claim that Djoković has “broad support in the Australian community.” “In Australia and overseas, Mr. Djokovic has great support for him to stay in Australia and participate in the Australian Open 2022,” the document reads.
The legal team also attached a screenshot of an internet poll by The Age and Sydney Morning Herald that asked, “Should Djoković stay in Australia?” 60 percent of voters were to support the Serb’s staying in the country, and you can see that his lawyers voted “YES”.
The results of this survey are very interesting, because in the last days most similar studies were dominated by the opponents of remaining the leader of the ATP ranking.
Serb deportation threatens Australia’s finances?
The documents of Djoković’s website also include an online petition with over 83,000. signatures supporting Serb.
– There are several reasons why it would be against the public interest to maintain the decision to cancel Mr Djokovic’s visa. First, such action is likely to negatively affect Australia’s global reputation, undermining Australia’s border security policy and the rule of law in Australia, we read.
Second, such action would harm Australia’s economic interests and jeopardize Australia’s viability as the host of such a prestigious international sporting event as the Grand Slam tournament, it added.
Novak Djokovic’s lawyers suggest that the deportation of the world’s best tennis player will have a very negative impact on the financial aspect of the Australian Open. These claims sound all the more interesting when we compare them with Saturday’s statement by Rafael Nadal. – I have no doubt that Novak Djoković is one of the greatest tennis players in history. But no player in history is bigger than a tennis tournament. Competitors come and go, more will come. Nobody, not even Roger Federer, Novak Djoković, me or Bjorn Borg, tennis goes on. The Australian Open is much bigger than any tennis player, the Spaniard said at a press conference.
Accusations of political motives
– Canceling Mr Djokovic’s visa would also create the impression of politically motivated decisions. This would be clearly against the public interest and could only serve political interests. The Minister of Immigration cannot be convinced that there is a public interest in the cancellation of Mr Djokovic’s visa, concluded.
Scott Morrison’s government has been accused of populism and using tennis players in political struggle. Only if Djokovic’s case were to be “politically motivated” – as his lawyers point out – would most likely mean that the majority of Australian society supports the deportation of the Serb (otherwise the government would not decide to do so if it is guided by politics). This, in turn, would contradict Djokovic’s legal team’s claim that the tennis player has “broad support in the Australian community,” which was confirmed by the above-mentioned survey.
Most Australians want the leader of the rankings expelled. It is not surprising, because they live in a country with very strict pandemic rules, in Melbourne alone, a lockdown was introduced six times, which lasted a total of nine months. Novak Djokovic’s trial will begin on Sunday at 9.30am Australian time (in Poland, on Saturday at 11.30pm).
Source: Sport
Tristin is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
