Novak Djokovic: Andy Murray refuses to stick boot in after Australia visa cancelled  

Andy Murray refused to stick the boot in to Novak Djokovic after the world No 1 learned he will be deported from Australia but admitted it ‘isn’t a good situation for anyone.’

Djokovic will be kicked out of the country on the eve of the Australian Open after his visa was cancelled for a second time.

The unvaccinated Djokovic has been denied the chance to compete for a 21st Grand Slam title in Melbourne after government officials concluded he may pose a health risk to the community.

Andy Murray said he ‘wouldn’t kick Novak Djokovic whilst he is down’ after the Serbian world No 1 saw his Australian visa cancelled 

Australia has cancelled Novak Djokovic ‘s visa for a second time, the country’s immigration minister announced on Friday. Pictured: Djokovic rests during a training session at Melbourne Park, Australia, January 14, 2022

And Djokovic, 34, a nine-time Australian Open champion, may not be seen at the event for some time as he could be barred from a new visa for three years.

But Murray, who advanced to the final of the Sydney Tennis Classic on Friday, said: ‘It’s not a good situation. I’m not going to sit here and start kicking Novak whilst he’s down.

‘I mean, I said it the other day, it’s not a good situation for anyone.

‘It’s unfortunate that it’s ended up in this sort of situation, and who knows? I don’t know what the process is from now.

‘I don’t know what route he goes down, if he can appeal that and how long that takes, and can he still be out practising whilst that process is going on or still competing in the tournament?’

Djokovic stands at a booth of the Australian Border Force at the airport in Melbourne, Australia as he arrived in the country on January 5

He added: ‘I just want it obviously to get resolved. I think it could be good for everyone if that was the case.

‘It just seems like it’s dragged on for quite a long time now and it’s not great for tennis, not great for the Australian Open, not great for Novak.

‘Obviously a lot of people have criticised the government here, as well. It’s not been good.’

Earlier this week, Murray admitted he had some sympathy for Djokovic, who he has known since junior days, after he was detained by the Australian Border Force after his arrival in the country.

‘I think everyone is shocked by it, to be honest,’ Murray said last weekend.

Andy Murray has reached his first ATP Tour-level final since October 2019 after his latest win

‘I’m going to say two things on it just now. The first thing is that I hope that Novak is OK. I know him well, and I’ve always had a good relationship with him and I hope that he’s OK.

‘The second thing, 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.’

The Djokovic visa saga is unlikely to be finished despite this latest decision.

The decision to again cancel his visa over COVID-19 entry regulations raises the prospect of a possible second court battle by the Serbian tennis star to be allowed to stay and play in the Open starting on Monday. 

Djokovic and Murray have known each other since junior days and get on well

A source close to Djokovic’s team confirmed to Reuters that he is considering the decision and weighing his options, with video on Friday purportedly showing a car – believed to be carrying the player – arriving at his lawyer’s officers.

Djokovic, the Australian Open defending champion, was included in the tournament’s draw on Thursday as top seed and was due to face fellow Serb Miomir Kecmanovic for his opening match, probably on Monday or Tuesday.