Novak Djokovic: Tennis star's visa revocation appeal rejected, deported from Australia
An Australian court has rejected the visa application of world number one tennis player Novak Djokovic over a corona vaccine waiver dispute, after which he will now be deported from Australia.
At the same time, the tennis star has failed in his last court appearance to stay in Australia and now Djokovic will not be able to defend his Australian Open title in Melbourne. He was scheduled to play his first match on Monday.
Three federal judges have unanimously rejected his appeal.
Earlier in the day, Novak Djokovic was detained before a court hearing on a visa revocation appeal.
The 34-year-old Serbian player is due to be deported after his visa was revoked by the Australian government for the second time because the government has declared him a threat to the public.
Djokovic's lawyers had appealed against his visa revocation, calling it "unreasonable".
''Djokovic will not be able to defend the Australian Open title''
Novak Djokovic, a nine-time Australian Open winner, had to defend his title this time around and if he had won the Australian Open for the tenth time, he would have become the most successful male tennis player in the world with 21 Grand Slam titles.
Earlier, it was reported that the world's number one men's tennis player would face deportation and a three-year visa ban if the appeal was passed against Novak.
Earlier, the Australian government revoked the visa of number one tennis star Novak Djokovic for the second time, after which the court annulled the first decision of the Australian government to cancel the visa of Novak Djokovic.
A statement from Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke stated that the decision to revoke Novak Djokovic's visa was taken in the public interest and for health reasons.
Following the ruling, Djokovic could face up to three years in prison for trying to obtain a new Australian visa, but the Australian government has the power to lift the ban if it so chooses.
Djokovic arrived in Melbourne on January 6, where his visa was revoked by the Australian Border Force after he failed to provide any concrete evidence of immunity from the corona vaccine.
Djokovic said he was against vaccinations and had been given a medical exemption from playing in the tournament, which angered many Australians.
Citizens in Australia have also expressed outrage over how a person can be allowed to enter the country without being vaccinated when the people of the country have lived in severe and long lockdowns.
''Djokovic's lawyers said he had been granted a temporary visa to enter the country and had been declared "exempt from covid vaccination" by Tennis Australia due to a recent infection.''
Djokovic's medical immunity certificate was issued by two independent medical panels running the event, hosted by Tennis Australia, and the state of Victoria.An honor to receive my very own Serbian stamp. Thank you to my generous country for this rare gift! I’m humbled!! Excited to share we’ll partner with the Serbian National Postal Service on @novakfoundation projects for every child to have the opportunity to attend preschool 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/Ww8Zma95NU
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) December 17, 2021
Djokovic was held at Melbourne Airport for several hours by immigration officials before being transferred to an immigration hotel. A few days later, the court annulled his decision to cancel his visa and ordered his release. The court ruled that the border authorities did not make the right decision.
Following the ruling, there were fears that the Australian government could once again revoke Novak Djokovic's visa, and so it happened. On Friday, Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke revoked his visa for the second time under the Australian Immigration Act.
Under the Act, the Australian Minister for Immigration has the power to deport anyone he deems a threat to the health, safety and security of the Australian people. Djokovic also has the right to appeal the ruling.
Djokovic responded by saying that his travel agent had submitted the affidavit by mistake and that this was not intentional. Djokovic also admitted that he met with a journalist and took part in a photo shoot after Corona was confirmed.
Australia's border epidemic laws prohibit foreigners from entering the country who have either not been vaccinated or are exempt from the vaccine.
Foreigners can travel to Australia on an online visa, but then they have to go through immigration customs upon arrival at the airport.