Novak Djokovic has finally been given the right to feature at the Australian Open after having his visa approved by the Australian government.
World number one men’s tennis player Novak Djokovic has won an appeal against a decision to refuse him a visa in the Federal Circuit Court of Australia ahead of the Australian Open.
Djokovic, the 20-time Grand Slam winner, who was detained by the Australian border security officials, is all set to be moved from the quarantine hotel in Melbourne after a judge ordered his immediate release from detention.
According to the DPA news agency, Judge Anthony Kelly quashed the visa cancellation and ordered the Australian Government to pay legal costs and release Djokovic from detention within half an hour.
But Government counsel Christopher Tran notified the court that the Minister for Immigration, Alex Hawke – not the minister who made the original visa cancellation – will now consider whether to exercise a personal power of cancellation of Djokovic’s visa, the agency added
Djokovic had headed Down Under to take part in the Australian Open after being granted a ‘medical exemption’ as he refuses to reveal his COVID-19 vaccination status. Djokovic’s lawyers had revealed his medical exemption had been granted as he had tested positive for COVID-19 in December last year.
Djokovic was held up by the Australian border officials at the Melbourne airport last week where he was told he did not meet the criteria for medical exemption before being sent into detention. The world no.1 tennis player was quick to assemble his team and take up the legal route in a bid to ensure he gets to take part in the tournament.
Djokovic has spent five days in detention in Melbourne after his visa was revoked by the authorities last week.
It was a shock defeat for the Australian government in the case on Monday after judge Kelly ordered Djokovic to be released.
Despite his release, immigration minister Alex Hawke is eligible to reverse the decision at any time, which could result in the player being banned from the country for three years.
“I’m instructed (the minister) will consider whether to exercise a personal power of cancellation,” AFP reported quoting Hawke as saying.
(With inputs from agencies)
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