‘There are still a few questions that need to be answered around the isolation’
Andy Murray has suggested that it is “positive” that Novak Djokovic has been released from immigration detention in Australia, but admitted that the world number one still has “a few questions” to answer.
Djokovic won his appeal against deportation from Australia on Monday, after having his visa cancelled upon entry to the country.
The Serbian tennis star is now set to defend his Australian Open title when the tournament begins on January 17.
However, the Australian Border Force are now investigating if Djokovic falsely declared that he hadn’t travelled, or intended to travel, 14 days before arriving in Australia.
Two-time Wimbledon champion Murray said that it is ‘positive’ that the Serb is not in detention any more, but added that he still has questions to answer.
He said: “It’s positive that he’s not in detention any more.
“There are still a few questions that need to be answered around the isolation, which I’m sure we’ll hear from him in the next few days.”
In his travel declaration forms, which were filed on January 1, Djokovic answered “no” when asked: “Have you travelled or will you travel in the 14 days prior to your flight to Australia?”
A disclaimer on the form states that providing false or misleading information is a “serious offence” and can be punishable by civil penalties.
However, social media posts appear to show him in both Serbian capital Belgrade and Spain during that period.
Australia’s immigration minister, Alex Hawke, has the right to cancel the visa again and deport him, but a spokesperson on behalf of Hawke confirmed that the immigration minister was yet to make a final decision on the situation.
“He won in court, which is good,” added Murray.
“It looks like he’s going to be able to play and compete in the Australian Open – we do want the best players there, but there are still a few questions to be answered.
“Until that happens, it is tough to give a definitive opinion on everything.”
The Briton – who previously said the situation was “really not good for tennis at all” – argued that the drama around Djokovic was “frustrating” as he would rather “talk about my tennis”.
The 34-year-old was speaking after he beat Norway’s Viktor Durasovic 6-3 6-1 in round one of the Sydney Tennis Classic.
Murray will now face Georgian second seed Nikoloz Basilashvili in the second round of the competition.
Related links:
- Australian Border Force to investigate if Novak Djokovic made false travel claim
- Novak Djokovic ‘subjected to torture’ during deportation case, claims mother
- Novak Djokovic thanks fans as footage emerges of ‘pepper spray’ being used by police
