Serbian ace Novak Djokovic continued to make up for lost time as he hit the courts for a practice session at Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday, with the world number one’s team seemingly having a message for cameras circling overhead.
Serbian ace Novak Djokovic continued to make up for lost time as he hit the courts for a practice session at Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday, with the world number one’s team seemingly having a message for cameras circling overhead.
A Melbourne judge ordered Djokovic’s release on Monday as the decision to cancel the 20-time Grand Slam winner’s visa was overturned.
READ MORE: The key details from Djokovic’s court case
Djokovic had been held at a hotel in the city run by the immigration authorities after he was refused formal entry into the country last Wednesday in a dispute over a Covid vaccine exemption which quickly ballooned into a major sporting and diplomatic scandal.
After spending four nights in confinement Djokovic wasted little time in heading for the training courts, being pictured at Melbourne Park – the venue for the Australian Open – for a late-night session just hours after the judge’s decision.
The 34-year-old returned to Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday afternoon local time, where the closed for most of the media but cameras circled overhead.
The unvaccinated Djokovic was seen sending balls across the court under the watchful eye of his team, including coach and former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic, colorful physio Ulises Badio, and fitness trainer Marco Panichi.
In footage shared by local media outlets, including a report by 9 News Melbourne, one member of Djokovic’s team appeared to make his feelings clear with what appeared to be a middle-finger gesture towards the cameras.