Cheers, Tears And Unease Day Of Djokovic Mayhem Prompts More Questions

World No 1’s release from detention led to wild scenes among supporters in Melbourne but the story may not be over just yet

- Tumaini Carayol

As a sleek, black car drove from the gates of the Hall & Wilcox lawyers’ office on Collins Street and out into the heart of the Melbourne central business district, it was immediately surrounded by masses of people. The large Serbian community in Melbourne had been driven into action over the previous four nights by Novak Djokovic’s continued spell in immigration detention and, as they gathered, they perfectly reflected the turmoil of the moment.

They cheered loudly at Djokovic’s release from detention but false rumours of a re arrest had also quickly spread. Fans responded by chanting “free Nole”. Some jumped on the roof of the car and others banged on the window. They were stopped only by the tear gas sprayed by police as they dispersed them.

After four nights of detention Novak Djokovic’s remarkable week in detainment came to a quick, triumphant resolution. He is now free but not quite. He won his hearing yesterday on procedural grounds due to the treatment he received by border force officers in the early morning on his arrival in Melbourne. His victory was a consequence of the judge, Anthony Kelly, deciding that the procedure for cancelling Djokovic’s visa was not correct. The government still reserves its right to cancel his visa another time and it is contemplating whether to do so. “The stakes have now risen rather than receded,” said Kelly.