Tennis News : Why was Djokovic mixing with public a day after he tested positive for COVID?

The family of tennis star Novak Djokovic's declared victory Monday after he won a legal battle to stay in Australia and play in the Australian Open following questions over his his exemption from strict coronavirus vaccine rules

But the government is still threatening to cancel his visa and deport him.

Federal Circuit Court Judge Anthony Kelly reinstated Djokovic's visa, which was pulled after his arrival last week because officials said he didn't qualify for an exemption to a rule that all non-citizens be fully vaccinated.

Djokovic's lawyers say that since he recently recovered from COVID-19, he didn't need to be inoculated, and court documents say he is not.

The family confirmed Djokovic had tested positive for COVID-19 on December 16.

Djokovic attended a December 17 event in Belgrade honoring young tennis players. The event was covered by local media, and parents posted photos on social media showing Djokovic and the children not wearing masks.

Djokovic's brother ended the news conference after he was asked whether the tennis star had gone out the following day in Belgrade.

The Djokovic case has gripped the world and caused a furor in Australia, where many initially decried the news that Djokovic, who has been a vocal skeptic of vaccines, had received an exemption to strict rules to compete in Melbourne.

Many felt the star was being given special treatment since Australians who aren't vaccinated face tough travel and quarantine restrictions. Melbourne, in particular, has faced severe restrictions and is one of the world's most locked down cities.

But when border police then blocked the 34-year-old on arrival, others cried foul, saying he was being scapegoated by an Australian government facing criticism for its recent handling of the pandemic.

The judge on Monday ruled the No. 1 player had not been given enough time to speak to his lawyers before the decision was made and ordered the government to release him from a Melbourne quarantine hotel where he has spent the last four nights.

But a government lawyer told the judge that the immigration minister "will consider whether to exercise a personal power of cancellation."

That would mean that the nine-time Australian Open winner and defending champion could again face deportation and could miss the tournament, which starts on January 17. It could also bar him from the country for three years.