The Serbian tennis star's lawyers claim he was interrogated for six hours at Melbourne airport before being allowed to go somewhere to sleep - only to be woken by officials half an hour later and pressured into making a decision on cancelling his visa.
At the start of the interview, just after midnight, an official told him previous infection did not mean he qualified for an exemption.He added:"I explained that I had been recently infected with COVID in December 2021 and on this basis I was entitled to a medical exemption in accordance with Australian government rules and guidance.
The documents state:"Mr Djokovic, having formed the view that"[they were] going to cancel [his] visa, it's obvious" relented, feeling he had no choice, and on the basis of an understanding based on what they had said to him that it was better for him if the interview was done right away." His legal team claim the actions of officials were"spurious and mischievous" adding:"It plainly was not, and would never have been, better for Mr Djokovic if a visa cancellation decision were made while he was unrested and without consulting with his representatives."
Djokovic was left feeling"shock","surprise" and"confusion" at the actions of officials - as he believed he had properly complied with the law of Australia.Djokovic has previously spoken about his opposition to vaccination and has repeatedly refused to reveal his vaccine status Gluten-free food deliveries, exercise equipment and a SIM card -the conditions in tennis star's immigration detentionHe is now staying at the Park Hotel, which is doubling up as an immigration detention facility until a final decision about his visa is made.
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