Novak Djokovic's signed affidavit has offered a detailed account of his terrifying ordeal during a relentless interrogation by border officials, leaving the tennis star 'upset and confused'.
The star was finally released from detention on Monday night after a judge ruled he should be immediately released, which saw the tennis champion hit the court within hours to get in some practice before the Open begins on Monday.
It marked the end of a rollercoaster five days, which began when the world No.1 was made to sleep on a couch in between questioning after touching down in Melbourne about 11.30pm on Wednesday.
He'd already spent 25 hours in transit and was astounded to learn his medical exemption was not considered satisfactory, saying he genuinely believed he had done all that was required to enter Australia.
Djokovic told the court he 'did not understand what was happening' or why they would consider cancelling his visa and repeatedly pleaded with officials to allow him time to consult his legal team when they woke up.
His signed affidavit explained he was first alerted that something was amiss as soon as the plane touched down in Australia. Both Djokovic and his team were ordered off the plane and immediately questioned.
An affidavit from world No.1 tennis player Novak Djokovic reveals he was stressed, confused and tired when he was questioned by Border Force officers when he arrived in the Australia (pictured: Djokovic holding the Australian Open trophy in 2021)
A large crowd of supporters waving the Serbian flag celebrated in Melbourne on Monday afternoon (pictured) as the Federal Court overturned the 34-year-old's visa cancellation
Djokovic told the court his passport was seized at this time and never returned. Judge Anthony Kelly ordered it be returned to him no later than 5.46pm Monday following his monumental court win.
By 12.20am, Border Force officials were ready to commence a formal interview with the Serbian star, demanding all documentation relating to the medical exemption.
Djokovic handed over the same documents he'd already provided, including his medical exemption letter from Tennis Australia and correspondence with the Department of Home Affairs indicating he'd met requirements to travel.
'I was asked whether I had been previously infected by Covid. I told him that I had been infected twice... the most recent occasion being December 2021.'
Djokovic said in his affidavit he was happy to oblige because he recognised that the issue was his vaccination status, and wanted to reassure the officials he'd taken all the precautions to ensure he was fit to travel.
Novak Djokovic tweeted this picture late on Monday night, thanking fans for sticking by him as well as the judge who ordered his release
Novak Djokovic's lawyer Paul Holdneson QC is seen in the carpark of his office building in Melbourne on Monday (pictured)
A central part of the reason Djokovic was allowed to stay was that Border Force officers did not give him enough opportunity to consult with his legal team (pictured: Novak Djokovic's lawyer Paul Holdneson on left)
'That is why I wanted him to see the COVID-PCR test results, but I recall he did not appear to be very interested in these documents,' Djokovic recalled.
During the interview, the official left the room on up to eight occasions to seek advice from his superior.
On one such occasion, the 34-year-old tennis star was reprimanded for using his mobile phone while he was alone in the room. He was told to switch off the phone and put it away, and did so.
After a 90 minute interrogation, it was determined there was 'nothing else Djokovic could provide' and he was permitted to 'go into the corridor to rest on the sofa'.
Novak Djokovic is seen exiting the Park Hotel in a white van on Monday morning, where the athlete was held during his legal challenge over his visa
Fans are seen celebrating outside Djokovic's lawyers' office on Monday evening after the landmark decision
He was woken about 4am with a document notifying him of the intention to 'consider cancellation of [his] visa'.
Djokovic immediately attempted to reason with the officers, telling them that he'd received advice from the Independent State Government medical panel which explicitly stated his recent Covid infection was grounds for exemption.
'He told me he was giving me 20 or so minutes to respond, give comments or give any other information that may affect their decision whether to cancel my visa.'
This decision would eventually be the critical reason Djokovic was successful in his appeal on Monday.
