Novak Djokovic has turned his attention to fighting for the Australian Open amid his visa issues.
The 20-time Grand Slam winner saw the decision to cancel his Australian visa overturned by a judge on Monday and now seems free to compete for a record-breaking 21st slam.
Djokovic headed straight to the Rod Laver Arena on MondayTwitter @DjokerNole
After days of tense waiting he is was free to enter the country, for now, but faces an anxious wait to see if it will be cancelled again.
Djokovic headed straight to the practice courts in Melbourne after spending a number of days detained in an immigration facility.
Djokovic wrote on Twitter: “I’m pleased and grateful that the Judge overturned my visa cancellation. Despite all that has happened, I want to stay and try to compete at the Australian Open I remain focused on that. I flew here to play at one of the most important events we have in front of the amazing fans.
“For now I cannot say more but THANK YOU all for standing with me through all this and encouraging me to stay strong.”
Djokovic fans in Australia turned out in support of the world number one tennis playerGetty
At a press conference staged by the family, Djokovic’s mother, Dijana, described his successful appeal as ‘the biggest win of his career – bigger than any of the grand slams he has won’.
She said: “We’re here to celebrate the victory of our son Novak. He always fought for justice. He’s done nothing wrong.
“He went there to win that tournament. This situation has been extremely difficult. There has been a spectrum of emotions: sadness, fear, disappointment.
“There were moments when he didn’t have his mobile with him. We had no idea what was happening.
“I want to thank everyone in the world who stood up and supported him in Melbourne in front of that, so-called hotel.
“This is his biggest win in his career, it is bigger than any Grand Slam.”
Djokovic is chasing a record 21st grand slam title at the Australian OpenAFP
His father, Srdan, hit out at the way Australia has treated his son over the last few days.
He said: “Over the past few days, it’s been very, very difficult for everyone in the world who is free thinking. But he is mentally extremely, extremely strong.
“They took away all his rights his rights, as a human being. He refused to revoke his visa.
“They gave him no right to prepare his defence for several hours, and they took away his phone. Fortunately they gave him back his phone. He contacted his legal team who mounted a fantastic defence, that they could not match.
Djokovic is a nine-time Australian Open winner and looks as though he may be able to defend his titleAFP
“This is a huge win for Novak, his family and the free world. He respected everything that was asked of him. He only wanted to go there to play tennis and that right he wanted to take away from them.
“Justice and the rule of law have prevailed. The judge who presided over the case has shown that not for second was Novak the guilty party.
“The judge was fantastic, he simply respected the facts. He took the only decision that was possible which was to release Novak.”
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