Novak Djokovic news LIVE: Australian Border Force investigate potential false travel claim from tennis star – The Independent

Nigel Farage has been in Belgrade with Djokovic’s family during the tennis star’s struggles in Australia.

The politician shared a video of the family home and said he had been “welcomed” in and British player Andy Murray replied.

He said: “Please record the awkward moment when you tell them you’ve spent most of your career campaigning to have people from Eastern Europe deported.”

Read how Farage replied and the full story:

Nick Kyrgios is “embarrassed” to be an Australian athlete due to the way Djokovic’s visa situation has played out.

“We know that the media like to create s***-storms, with my story and everything going on with Novak,” said Kyrgios “I feel quite embarrassed as an Australian athlete who’s seen what this guy has done for us and for the sport.

“I just don’t think it’s right how we’re handling it, but the media loves to do that, loves to divide.”

Djokovic has claimed he didn’t travel before entering Australia but footage has emerged which could see the star face more questioning.

The footage appears to show Djokovic practicing at a training camp in the south of Spain on December 31, which would throw into question Djokovic’s claim that he did not travel prior to flying to Australia on 4 January.

This is the latest in a series of events that has culminated in Djokovic waiting to see if immigration minister Alex Hawke will deport him ahead of the Australian Open.

Boris Becker has warned Djokovic he will face a frosty crowd at the Australian Open if he competes.

The star could still be deported but at the moment he is on track to attempt to defend his title and win his 21st Grand Slam.

Becker told the BBC: “I’m sure there will be a couple of boos and whistles, but he’s used to that.

“He was always a street-fighter who had to fight the odds and win over the crowd, and it was fascinating in last year’s US Open final when they finally embraced him.

“The crowd will be difficult with him but with each match he starts, he will win the crowd and they will embrace him again. But he is going to have a difficult first week.”

The Australian Open have confirmed Djokovic is the top seed in the men’s event despite there being some doubt over whether he will compete.

The star could have his visa re-cancelled in coming days but his preparations for the event have continued with him back on court practicing.

Ashleigh Barty has been named top seed for the women’s competition. She recently won the Adelaide International.

The men’s tennis tour ATP has released a statement about Djokovic’s visa situation and says it is “damaging on all fronts”.

The statement came after the world no. 1 won his appeal to stay in Australia but their immigration minister could still cancel his visa.

ATP said: “Complications in recent days related to player entry into Australia have… highlighted the need for clearer understanding, communication and application of the rules.

“In travelling to Melbourne, it’s clear Novak Djokovic believed he had been granted a necessary medical exemption in order to comply with entry regulations.

“The series of events leading to Monday’s court hearing have been damaging on all fronts, including for Novak’s well-being and preparation for the Australian Open.”

The Djokovic family took part in a press conference on Monday where they shared their feelings about the situation and celebrated Djokovic’s appeal win.

His father, Srdan, said it was a victory for freedom of speech: “He fought for freedom of thoughts, freedom of speech. It’s been very, very difficult for us, as for everyone in the world who is free-thinking. But he is extremely strong, a fantastic young man who always tries to help, never to harm.”

Novak Djokovic’s father has called on Queen Elizabeth to intervene in his son Novak Djokovic’s visa drama in Australia.

While Djokovic’s father has also labelled Prime Minister Scott Morrison a “dictator”.

“Autocracy has shown its true face today. Contrary to the decision of the independent court of Australia, dictator Scott ordered the arrest of my son, your world champion, Novak Djokovic, and deportation, banning him from entering the country for three long years,” Srđan Đoković said. “The court showed that law exists in Australia, but Scott dared to take justice into his own hands.

“I call on the Queen of Britain, Elizabeth, the leader of the Commonwealth, to intervene and protect the human rights of my son Novak Djokovic and to stop the political prosecution that has been carried out against him since he came to Australia,” Mr Djokovic said. “I call on all Australians and the whole world to raise their voice against terror, and the brutal human rights violations of the world’s best tennis player.

“Australia has become a dystopia, a mockery of the free world, they treat Novak Djokovic, my son, your world champion, as a political prisoner. As a terrorist in Guantanamo Bay. They deprive him of the right to play, to individuality, to freedom of opinion,” he said. “But I publicly claim: Political beasts will not break it! The whole world can now see a fake democracy led by one Scott.

“Novak is treated by the Australian government as an enemy of the state, not the best tennis player in the world who has always helped Australia with his donations in philanthropy. He is treated by ethnic racists as a lower-class citizen,” he said. “The truth has come to light, Australia is run by political criminals who do not respect individual rights or court decisions. They do not respect the decisions of their court, they do not respect their legal system.

“As of today, Australia is a banana republic and my son took the cross to go down in history as Spartacus standing on the last line of defence of freedom.

“I call on all non-governmental organisations around the world and all people of good will who believe in justice and democracy, as well as the Queen of Great Britain, to get involved and protect Novak Djokovic from the torture against him.”

Rafael Nadal has spoken about Djokovic’s appeal win and says “justice has spoken”.

The world no. 1 won his fight to stay in Australia but more government intervention could come in days. Nadal told Spanish radio station Onda Cero: “Whether or not I agree with Djokovic on some things, justice has spoken and has said that he has the right to participate in the Australian Open and I think it is the fairest decision to do so, if it has been resolved that way.

“I wish him the best of luck. On a personal level, I’d much rather he didn’t play!”

The appeal win on Monday has put the Australian government in a tricky situation. Immigration minister Alex Hawke can still deport Djokovic by re-cancelling his visa but the weight of the situation is reflected in how long he is taking to consider it.

A decision is expected on Wednesday with Djokovic continuing his preparations for the Australian Open in the meantime.

Read below for a full piece on what this could mean for the country’s government: