Questions are being raised about whether Novak Djokovic lied on an official Australian border entry form about where he had travelled to in the two weeks before he flew to Australia.
Key points:
- Novak Djokovic said he had not travelled for 14 days before arriving in Australia from Spain on January 5
- Photos and videos reportedly show him in Serbia at the end of December
- Immigration Minister Alex Hawke is still considering whether to cancel Djokovic's visa
Anyone flying to Australia from overseas must fill out a health survey as part of their application to enter the country.
On that form it asks if the person has travelled, or has plans to travel, in the 14 days before they arrive in Australia.
In documents released as part of Djokovic's Federal Circuit Court Case, he declared on his survey that he had not travelled in the last fortnight.
But a number of social media posts and news articles from the end of September show that that may not have been the case.
To have been within the border entry rules, Djokovic would had to have been in Spain, where he flew out from (via Dubai) to get to Australia, for two weeks from late on December 22.
He left Spain on January 4 and arrived in Australia late on Wednesday, January 5.
However, in videos and photos on social media, Djokovic appears to have been in Belgrade, Serbia, at Christmas time, where he was filmed playing tennis in the street.
Djokovic's lawyers and the Australian Border Force have been contacted for comment.
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The tennis star's fate remains hanging in the balance as Immigration Minister Alex Hawke continues to consider whether to use his ministerial powers to cancel the world number one male tennis player's visa.
If that happens, it could mean Djokovic is banned from entering Australia for three years, although ban periods are done on a case-by-case basis.
"As noted yesterday in the Federal Circuit and Family Court, Minister Hawke is considering whether to cancel Mr Djokovic’s visa under section 133C(3) of the Migration Act," a spokesperson for Mr Hawke said.
"In line with due process, Minister Hawke will thoroughly consider the matter.
"As the issue is ongoing, for legal reasons it is inappropriate to comment further."
After a request from the Serbian Prime Minister, Ana Brnabić, to speak to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, the two leaders had a phone call earlier today.
Mr Morrison's office said it was a "constructive conversation", while Serbian media outlet RTS reported that Ms Brnabic asked that Djokovic be "treated fairly" and emphasised the importance of him being given time and conditions to train for the Australian Open.