“Don’t question Novak Djokovic’s legacy because of this” Alexander Zverev blames the Australian Government for the Djokovic visa saga


“Don’t question Novak Djokovic’s legacy because of this” Alexander Zverev blames the Australian Government for the Djokovic visa saga

Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic continues to fight his battle for participation at the 2022 Australian Open as the player will now undergo a second trial in two weeks. While Novak won the first trial as the courtroom of Judge Kelly found the government’s case ‘unreasonable’, the use of power by Immigration Minister Alex Hawke has seen Djokovic taken into federal quarantine hotel once again as he awaits the second verdict.

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With many hoping the saga would end soon and focus will shift to the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the season, Djokovic’s case continues to overshadow the major. With the verdict of the second trial scheduled on Sunday, a day prior to the start of the tournament, there stands a possibility that the entire draw for men’s singles would be re-done.

Speaking about this matter, World No. 3 Alexander Zverev came forward to Djokovic’s defence and blamed the Australian government for the mess that has been caused for the past two weeks that have resulted in protests across the globe in support of the player and also the criticism of the player for trying to find ways to bend the rules.

“Don’t question his legacy because of this. He is one of the GOATs. The Australian government should have been clear beforehand on what was going to happen. It’s not very fair for a person to come here and not be able to play,” said Zverev as reported by journalist Luigi Gatto.

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Novak Djokovic taken to federal quarantine hotel today

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic

With minister Hawke using his power to cancel Djokovic’s visa on Friday, the player was taken into federal quarantine hotel today once again as he now awaits the verdict tomorrow. Djokovic had been in a similar hotel for 4 days from 6th January to 10th January, the window which denied him to participate in any Tour event in the build-up to the Grand Slam.

If Djokovic loses his appeal, he will be deported out of the country immediately and could be banned for 3 years from the country. But if he wins the appeal, he will be back in Melbourne Park for his match against compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic in the first round of the Slam on 17th January itself.

Also Read: ‘It’s sad that people might remember him in this way!’ Naomi Osaka speaks on Novak Djokovic’s visa debacle, says she knows ‘what it’s like to kind of be in his situation’