Djokovic lands in Dubai as Aussie PM Morrison leaves door open for Serb’s return next year

Even as his peers kicked off the opening day’s action at Melbourne Park, nine-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic landed in Dubai on early Monday morning

Novak Djokovic walks with his team after landing at Dubai Airport after the Australian Federal Court upheld a government decision to cancel his visa to play in the Australian Open on January 17, 2022. Image Credit: AI / Reuters / Panoramic

Haresh Ramchandani

January 17, 2022

World No 1 Novak Djokovic has landed in Dubai on early Monday morning after losing a legal battle to remain in Australia and defend his Australian Open title.

Even as his peers kicked off the opening day’s action at Melbourne Park, the nine-time Australian Open champion Djokovic arrived early on January 17, 2022 in Dubai via an Emirates plane after a 13 1/2 hour flight from Melbourne.

On Sunday, a three-judge bench at the Federal Court of Australia rejected Djokovic’s challenge to Immigration Minister Alex Hawke’s decision to cancel Djokovic’s visa.

As part of his visa being rejected and his deportation, Djokovic faces a three-year ban from returning to Australia. Under the Australian Immigration law, Djokovic cannot be given a visa for three years unless the Australian immigration minister believes there are compelling or compassionate reasons to do so.

Novak Djokovic poses for a selfie after landing at Dubai Airport after the Australian Federal Court upheld a government decision to cancel his visa to play in the Australian Open, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, January 17, 2022. Image Credit: AI / Reuters / Panoramic

There is the opportunity for [a person] to return in the right circumstances, and that will be considered at the time.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison

However, speaking to 2GB radio on Monday, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has left the possibility open that Djokovic could return to Melbourne next year under the right circumstances.

“I’m not going to precondition any of that or say anything that would not enable the minister to make the various calls he has to make,” Morrison said. “It does go over a three-year period, but there is the opportunity for [a person] to return in the right circumstances, and that will be considered at the time.”

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne also said on Monday that she and Morrison had been in touch with Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic in the last few days.

“I am absolutely confident that the very positive relationship, bilateral relationship between Australia and Serbia will continue on the strong footing that it currently enjoys,” Payne told reporters.