Novak Djokovic news: Craig Tiley responds to reports that world No 1 will sue Tennis Australia
Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley has dismissed claims that Novak Djokovic will sue Tennis Australia and the Australian government following his deportation.
The world No 1 was sent home from Australia last week after three judges unanimously upheld Immigration Minister Alex Hawke’s decision to revoke his visa for a second time.
His deportation came on the back of the Australian Border Force’s original decision to withdraw his visa upon his arrival in Melbourne as he “failed to provide appropriate evidence to meet the entry requirements to Australia”.
The 34-year-old was forced to spend the bulk of two weeks at a hotel that houses asylum seekers, leading to his mother Djina Djokovic stating that he was being treated “like a prisoner”.
Then came reports from The Sun that he will take legal action against Tennis Australia and the Australian government for treating him poorly.
It suggested he would sue for “£3.2million with the figure including £2.3million prize money he would have received had he won the tournament”.
Novak Djokovic news: World No 1 reportedly set to sue Australian government over ‘ill-treatment’
However, in an interview with ABC TV, Tiley was asked if Tennis Australia was being sued and replied: “No. I mean there is going to be lots of reports on different things but we are in a position where we are focused on delivering an event right now and we will continue to deliver a great event.”
The Australian government still has an option to ban Djokovic from entering the country for three years, but Tiley is confident the 20-time Grand Slam winner will return next year.
When asked if Djokovic would be back for the 2023 event, he replied: “Yes.”
He continued: “Obviously, I think he’s got to play out this year, but that will be his intention. At the end of the day, he’s the No 1 player in the world and he loves the Australian Open.”
Latest
-
Tennis NewsNovak Djokovic steps up to put Team Europe back on track
Novak Djokovic helped Team Europe retake the lead at the Laver Cup on Saturday.
-
WTA TourRising Chinese star Zheng Qinwen surges into first WTA final in Tokyo
Zheng Qinwen will contest her first WTA Tour final against Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova in Tokyo.
-
Tennis NewsTeam Europe take lead in Laver Cup as Roger Federer watches
Matteo Berrettini gave Europe the edge in the Laver Cup on Saturday.
-
NewsRoger Federer hints at farewell tour ‘to say thank you to fans’
Roger Federer lost his final competitive match but wants to say farewell to his fans all over the world in some way.
-
Tennis NewsRoger Federer’s classy farewell reminds others how it should be done
Compare Federer’s farewell with that of Serena Williams at the US Open and you observe a very different route to an exit.
-
WTA TourEmma Raducanu halted by injury once again as she retires from Korea Open semi-final
Emma Raducanu missed out on a place in the Korea Open final after an injury halted her promising run in Seoul.
-
NewsRoger Federer ends illustrious career with doubles defeat at Laver Cup
The Swiss great announced last week this doubles tie would be the final match of his professional career.
-
NewsEmotional Roger Federer bids tearful farewell to professional tennis
Federer partnered with Rafael Nadal in the final match of his illustrious career.
-
NewsA closer look at the incredible career of Roger Federer
The Swiss maestro is hanging up his racket after the Laver Cup.
-
NewsEmma Raducanu reacts to reaching her first WTA Tour semi-final
The 19-year-old beat Magda Linette 6-2 6-2 in Seoul and will face top seed Jelena Ostapenko for a place in the final.