Novak Djokovic his broken his silence after his visa cancellation was overturned at the Melbourne Federal Circuit Court.
The world number one male tennis player has been detained since he touched down in Australia to defend his Grand Slam title due to an issue over his medical exemption from being vaccinated against Covid-19.
However, the Serbian scored a massive win yesterday (January 10) and has been allowed to stay in the country for now.
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He's been overwhelmed by the public's support since his visa was cancelled by Australian Border Force and is now setting his sights on winning the Australian Open.
"I'm pleased and grateful that the Judge overturned my visa cancellation," he wrote on Twitter.
"Despite all that has happened, I want to stay and try to compete @AustralianOpen I remain focused on that.
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"I flew here to play at one of the most important events we have in front of the amazing fans.
"For now I cannot say more but THANK YOU all for standing with me through all this and encouraging me to stay strong."
During his court hearing, Judge Anthony Kelly admitted he felt 'agitated' by Djokovic's situation and asked what more the tennis star could have done.
Novak's lawyers said he completed all the necessary documentation before arriving into Australia.
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Judge Kelly told the court: "A professor and an eminently qualified physician have produced a medical exemption [for Djokovic].
"Further, that medical exemption and basis on which it has been given was separately given by an independent ... panel established by the Victorian state government.
"That document was in the hands of the delegate [Home Affairs]. What more could this man have done?"
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The government acknowledged that it did not give Djokovic enough time to respond to its decision to cancel his visa.
Reading out a minute agreed to by both parties, Judge Kelly ordered the government to pay costs and for Djokovic to be released from quarantine and have his personal effects returned to him.
There were chaotic scenes outside Novak's lawyer's office in Melbourne after the verdict was reached.
The ABC reports a man jumped on a car that was exiting the Rialto Towers car park because he believed Novak was sitting inside it and that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
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They surrounded the vehicle and essentially blocked it from moving forward, which prompted police to try and clear a path.
However, the Djokovic fans ended up getting in a scuffle with authorities and officers were forced to use pepper spray to subdue those who were the rowdiest.
News.com.au reports a small group of supporters confronted police with verbal abuse and threw bottles at them.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Novak Djokovic, Australia
