Tennis star Novak Djokovic lost his appeal to have his Australian visa cancellation overturned and will be deported from the country.
On Sunday, an Australian Federal Court panel dismissed Djokovic’s application to review immigration minister Alex Hawke’s decision to cancel the visa.
A 20-time Grand Slam champion and nine-time Australian Open winner, Djokovic’s dream of participating in the upcoming Australian Open 2022 was left shattered on Sunday (January 16) after the court panel returned their unanimous decision.
Djokovic had appealed against the Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke’s use of discretionary powers to re-cancel his visa earlier this week on the grounds that he was a threat to public order as his unvaccinated status might trigger anti-vaccine sentiments in the general public. The case was heard by a panel of three judges on Sunday.
In a statement released on Sunday evening, Djokovic said he was “extremely disappointed” by the ruling but respected it. He released a statement shortly after three Federal Court judges unanimously upheld a decision made Friday by Immigration Minister Alex Hawke to cancel the 34-year-old Serb’s visa on public interest grounds because he is not vaccinated.
“I am extremely disappointed with the Court ruling to dismiss my application for judicial review of the Minister’s decision to cancel my visa, which means I cannot stay in Australia and participate in the Australian Open,” Djokovic said.
“I respect the Court’s ruling and I will cooperate with the relevant authorities in relation to my departure from the country,” he added.
Djokovic said he was “uncomfortable” that the focus had been on him since his visa was first canceled on arrival at Melbourne’s airport on Jan. 6.
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) said it respects the decision of the Federal Court.
“The situation with Djokovic is disappointing for everyone involved – not only for the player himself but for other players, the tournament, and the fans,” ITF added.
“As an organization which hosted over 1900 international events all over the world in 2021, the ITF has first-hand experience of the huge challenges and rigour needed to navigate the pandemic and the regulations that vary country by country. These protocols need to be clearly communicated in a timely manner and the proper process must be respected by all for it to be effective.
“And while the ITF believes that full vaccination is a personal decision, we believe this is the responsible action we must all take in order to ease restrictions and avoid such occurrences happening in the future,” it said in a statement.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison welcomed what he described as the “decision to keep our borders strong and keep Australians safe.”
“It’s now time to get on with the Australian Open and get back to enjoying tennis over the summer,” Morrison said in a statement
“This cancellation decision was made on health, safety and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so.I welcome the decision to keep our borders strong and keep Australians safe,” it said in a statement.
Also Read: Australia cancels Novak Djokovic’s visa 2nd time ahead of the Australian Open
Djokovic had to spend five days in detention in Melbourne after his visa was first time revoked by the authorities last week.
Earlier on Monday, a judge reinstated Djokovic’s visa and ordered his release. However, immigration minister Alex Hawke said that he was still considering whether to use his personal powers to cancel the visa again and expel him from the country.
Djokovic admitted to submitting travel documents containing incorrect information to Australian immigration officials last week and to attend an interview and photoshoot in December after learning he was infected with COVID-19.
In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Djokovic described as a way to clear up “the continuing misinformation about my activities last month.”
On Friday, the Australian immigration minister canceled the visa of unvaccinated no 1 tennis star Novak Djokovic for a second time ahead of the Australian Open. The decision was made on the grounds of “health and good order” and “on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so, according to the Australian Immigration minister.
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