The uncertain status of top-ranked Novak Djokovic didn’t stop Australian Open organisers from listing him as the top seed for the Grand Slam tournament beginning on Monday at Melbourne Park.
As expected, home favourite and top-ranked Ashleigh Barty was given the No. 1 seeding in the women’s singles draw when the list was released on Tuesday. Defending champion Naomi Osaka is seeded 13th.
But Djokovic, who was filmed by media helicopters practising at Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday, ran into another storm as reports emerged in the Australian press that he may have misled the authorities about his movements before entering the country.
The reports said Australian Border Force was investigating potential discrepancies in the traveller form submitted by Djokovic and his whereabouts in the days before he landed in Melbourne.
In the document submitted to court Djokovic ticked “no” when asked if he had been overseas in the 14 days prior. Social media posts, however, appeared to show him in Belgrade on Christmas Day and in Spain on December 31.
In Madrid, Spain’s foreign minister said he had no information on whether Djokovic had visited Spain in December before travelling to Australia. “We have not been contacted by the Australian government to request such documentation,” minister Jose Manuel Albares also said.
The Australian Border Force did not reply to a request for comment. Djokovic’s lawyers at Hall & Wilcox declined to comment.
Djokovic won a court battle to compete in the Australian Open but still faces the threat of deportation because he is not vaccinated against Covid-19. Immigration minister Alex Hawke’s office said he was still considering whether to use his discretionary power to cancel Djokovic’s visa.
“In line with due process, minister Hawke will thoroughly consider the matter,” a spokesman said, declining to comment further due to legal reasons.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s office said he spoke with Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic on Monday and explained Australia’s non-discriminatory border policy. Serbian media reports said Brnabic emphasised the importance of Djokovic being able to prepare for the tournament.
Djokovic, who expressed his gratitude to the judge and his determination to compete at the first major of the year in a tweet on Monday, did not publicly address the situation on Tuesday.