In Melbourne, wild scenes of rejoicing have erupted as Novak Djokovic is finally released from his five-day hotel incarceration hell.
After he was escorted out of the building at 8.45 p.m. on Monday, ecstatic supporters swarmed his tinted sedan, with some even laying down in the road in pure joy as they yelled his name.
As the celebrations following days of tension and protest threatened to spiral out of control, police were forced to use pepper spray to keep the throng in check.point 412 |
After five days of tumultuous paperwork, the tennis star has successfully fought the Australian government’s decision to reject his visa, allowing him to compete in the Australian Open.point 164 | 1
Police mobbed his lawyer’s office in Melbourne, where he was allowed to go during the hearing, with his relatives in Serbia alleging the authorities meant to ‘lock him up.’
According to government and tennis sources, Djokovic has not been detained and is finally being taken to his rented accommodation.
At about 8.15 p.m., a navy suitcase was pushed into Mr. Holdenson’s office by an official escorted by a squad of five police officers, as the star’s luggage was finally returned to him after five days.
However, immigration minister Alex Hawke is said to be debating whether to cancel the player’s visa once more.
Following the conclusion of the case in court, hordes of fans, escorted by police, rushed to Djokovic’s lawyer’s office building.
Judge Anthony Kelly of the Federal Court of Australia ordered the 34-year-old tennis world No. 1 to be released from jail at Melbourne’s Park Hotel by 5.46pm on Monday, despite the fact that he had already gone to his lawyer’s office to watch the hearing.
Djordje, his brother, stated on Serbian television that Australian authorities planned to “arrest and jail up Novak again.”
He further said, “That’s the last info, we are currently consulting with PRs about our next steps. He is at the moment with his lawyers in the room they were during the hearing, thinking about his options.”
What are your thoughts on Djokovic’s being freed from the hotel?