Novak Djokovic’s trial is taking place today as the world’s top male tennis player decides to fight his visa cancellation in order to compete at the Australian Open.

This comes following him receiving a vaccination exemption from Tennis Australia (after an infection on 16 December) to enter the country, which was however, turned down by the Australian Border Force when he arrived in Melbourne last week.

Djokovic has since been kept in a detention hotel. As the court refused a government order to adjourn proceedings till Wednesday, the case went ahead earlier today according to Federal Court Judge Anthony Kelly’s wishes.

Even though the trial was scheduled to go live on line at 10am, it was delayed due to technical issues.

Due to that delay, the court’s live feed paused before midday after being overwhelmed by users trying to tune in.

Meanwhile, Judge Kelly rules that Djokovic could exit detention in order to be transferred to another location in order to watch the trial.

“The respondent, by her servants or agents, including the Australian Border Force, take all steps and do all things as may be necessary to bring the applicant to premises as specified by the applicant’s solicitors on Monday, 10 January 2022 (and each day thereafter, including upon the delivery of judgment), to permit him to remain there until the conclusion of each hearing and to secure his safe return to detention upon the conclusion of each hearing,” the order read.

At a first glance, it appears that the court is positive towards Djokovic’s claims.

The court heard that before and after arriving at Tullamarine airport in Melbourne, Mr Djokovic had a medical exemption from a professor and an “eminently qualified physician” to support his claim he had a medical contraindication to a COVID-19 vaccination while also having been given an exemption by an independent expert panel established by the Victorian government.

“The point I’m somewhat agitated about is what more could this man have done?” Judge Kelly said.

“What emerges with utmost clarity is that he (Djokovic) had done absolutely everything that he understood was required in order for him to enter Australia,” Djokovic’s lawyer Nicholas Wood, SC, said stressing that his client thought it “was ok to come” to Australia.

“In my client’s words ‘If there has been an error, I don’t understand what it is’, ” said Mr Wood.

Judge Kelly understood that in effect Djokovic would never have come to Australia if he did not think he could not have gained entry..

Djokovic’s lawyers have finished their oral submissions, and have proposed orders for his release.

More to come