The world number one male tennis player, Novak Djokovic is set to be deported from Australia after losing his appeal against the re-cancellation of his visa.
Djokovic was expected to participate at this year’s Australian Open after he was exempted from vaccination rules. However, three Federal Court judges unanimously supported the decision made by Immigration Minister Alex Hawke to revoke the 34-year-old’s visa.
Hawke said in a statement: “I exercised my power to cancel the visa held by Mr Novak Djokovic on health and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so.”
Also read: Australian authorities revoke Novak Djokovic’s visa for the second time
Meanwhile, the courts latest decision on Sunday 15 January means that Djokovic, who is not vaccinated against COVID-19, is likely to remain at an immigration detention centre in Melbourne until he is deported.
Djokovic also released a statement indicating that he is disappointed but respect the Australian government’s decision made regarding his visa.
“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.
“I respect the Court’s ruling and I will cooperate with the relevant authorities in relation to my departure from the country,” the statement said.
Novak Djokovic will not play at the #AustralianOpen2022 after court dismissed his appeal against a deportation order.
You can however watch all the other vaccinated players on @DStvUganda when action gets underway on Monday. pic.twitter.com/SbSIzO9lx6
— aisha nassanga (@AishaSports) January 16, 2022
The Australian government will soon confirm when the Serbian will leave the country.
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Picture: Twitter
