'Really bad': Andy Murray takes aim over Novak Djokovic debacle

Andy Murray has labelled the Novak Djokovic drama as 'bad' for the sport after the World No.1 awaits the verdict on whether he will be able to play at the Australian Open.

Djokovic has made worldwide headlines after he was detained at Melbourne Airport after Border Force declared the World No.1's visa didn't meet the requirements to enter.

The World No.1's fate should be resolved on Monday when his lawyers challenge the rejection of his visa application by Australian border force officials.

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In their appeal document sent to the court, they say the 34-year-old tested positive for Covid-19 in December, and it was on those grounds that they sought a medical exemption that would allow him to defend his Australian Open crown.

But lawyers for the federal government will argue in a hearing that it had not given Djokovic any assurance that his medical exemption would be accepted.

And following the drama surrounding his case, rival Murray has expressed his shock at how the ordeal has played out in public.

Murray said the players have been 'shocked' at how Djokovic has been detained and said it was a bad look for the sport.

"I think everyone is shocked by it to be honest," Murray told reporters.

"I'm going to say two things on it just now. The first thing is that I hope that Novak is okay. I know him well, and I've always had a good relationship with him.

"The second thing I'll say on it, is it's really not good for tennis at all, and I don't think it's good for anyone involved. I think it's really bad.

"Some stuff has come out that really doesn't look good, either. I want to hear all the facts first before giving all of my thoughts on it."

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In submissions to the Federal Circuit Court ahead of Monday's hearing, Australian government lawyers have asked Judge Anthony Kelly to reject the tennis star's challenge to his visa cancellation and order he pay costs.

But should the World No.1 win and the court order his immediate release, they want the judge to make it clear there's nothing stopping them from detaining him again.

"An order for immediate release does not prevent re-detention if there is power to detain," submissions on behalf of Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said.

“If the Court makes an additional orders for immediate release of the applicant, notwithstanding the above, the respondent submits that the Court should make it expressly clear that that order does not purport to (nor could it) prevent the respondent or any officer of the Commonwealth from exercising any power to detain that might be available to him or her despite the quashing of the delegate’s cancellation decision."

with AAP

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