Australian Court Upholds Cancellation Of Djokovic’s Visa, Tennis Star To Be Deported

Topline

A Melbourne federal court on Sunday upheld the Australian government’s decision to cancel tennis star Novak Djokovic’s visa on public health and safety grounds, opening the door for his deportation from the country and ending a nearly two-week-long saga over whether the unvaccinated tennis player would be able to participate in the Australian Open.

Key Facts

Decision delivered by a panel of three judges was unanimous and Djokovic was ordered to pay the legal costs of the government.

The Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia, James Allsop, noted that the court’s court’s role was not to judge the “merits or wisdom” of the government’s decision to cancel Djokovic’s visa.

The ruling only examined if the decision was unlawful, irrational or legally unreasonable, Allsop added.

Australian officials can now move to deport the unvaccinated tennis star who now also faces the prospect of being banned from entering the country for three years.

Djokovic Australian Open spot will now be filled by 150th ranked Salvatore Caruso.

Crucial Quote

In a statement issued after the ruling Djokovic said: “I am extremely disappointed with the Court ruling to dismiss my application…which means I cannot stay in Australia and participate in the Australian Open. Noting that he will cooperate with authorities to facilitate his departure from the country the 20-time grand slam winner added: “I am uncomfortable that the focus of the past weeks has been on me and I hope that we can all now focus on the game and tournament I love.”

Key Background

Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke canceled Djokovic’s visa Friday on public health grounds, stating that Djokovic’s presence in the country would encourage anti-vaxxer sentiment. Hawke’s decision was immediately challenged in court by Djokovic’s lawyers who called the decision “irrational,”  arguing that he poses a negligible risk to the public. Australia currently is only allowing travelers vaccinated against coronavirus to enter the country. The unvaccinated Serbian tennis star was granted a medical exemption to play in the Australian Open because he claimed to have tested positive in mid-December. He was detained by border authorities after landing in Melbourne last week, who eventually revoked his visa, deciding he failed to provide sufficient proof for a medical exemption. However, the Melbourne Federal Circuit Court ruled Monday that the authorities had not followed proper procedures in revoking Djokovic’s visa and ordered the Australian government to reinstate it.

Further Reading

Novak Djokovic Timeline: His Positive Covid Test, In-Person Events And Travel Documents Ahead Of Australian Open (Forbes)

Australia Cancels Novak Djokovic’s Visa Again (Forbes)

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