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Australian Open draw delayed amid uncertainty around Novak Djokovic's visa status

MELBOURNE, Australia -- The Australian Open draw was delayed indefinitely on Thursday amid uncertainty over top-ranked Novak Djokovic's visa status.

The draw, to determine men's and women's singles brackets at the year's first tennis major, was scheduled to be held at 3 p.m. local time in Melbourne, but a tournament official told waiting media that the ceremony had been postponed until further notice and declined further comment.

The Australian Open begins Monday.

The Australian immigration minister was still considering whether to deport the nine-time and defending Australian Open champion, who is not vaccinated against COVID-19, on public interest grounds.