Djokovic’s Australian visa canceled

The Australian government has canceled Novak Djokovic’s visa for a second time, with Immigration Minister Alex Hawke saying he «carefully considered» all the information before making a decision.

The world number one has been waiting since a judge overturned the original ruling on Monday to see if Hawke would use his powers to reimpose the sentence.

Just before 6pm (7am Irish time) on Friday, the immigration minister issued a statement saying he had ordered Djokovic repatriated «for reasons of health and good order».

Hook said: “Today I exercised my power under Section 133c(3) of the Immigration Act to cancel the visa held by Mr Novak Djokovic on grounds of health and order, on the grounds that it is in the public interest to do so.

“This decision follows orders from the Federal Circuit and Family Court on January 10, 2022, to overturn an earlier annulment decision on grounds of procedural fairness.

«In making this decision, I have carefully considered the information provided to me by the Home Office, Australian Border Force and Mr Djokovic.

«The Morrison government is deeply committed to protecting Australia’s borders, particularly in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic.»

Djokovic arrived in Melbourne on January 5 after being exempted through Tennis Australia from the country’s strict entry rules for the Covid-19 vaccination on the grounds that he had recently contracted the virus.

But the Australian Border Patrol stopped him and questioned him all night long Before informing him of the cancellation of his visa. Then he was taken to a detention hotel.

Djokovic appealed the decision and Five days later, the judge ruled in his favour, and appears to free him up to play in the Australian Open, which begins on Monday.

There may be another legal challenge from the world number one, but if not, his hopes of winning a 10th title at Melbourne Park and a 21st Grand Slam title are all but dead.

Djokovic flew straight to Melbourne Park after leaving the hotel on Monday and has practiced every day since then, including early Friday morning, but his hopes of staying in the country faded as the week went on after his behavior was revealed.

Documents indicate that Djokovic tested positive in Serbia on December 16, but was filmed at the events for the next two days and released a statement earlier this week admitting he participated in an interview with French newspaper L’Equipe at his tennis center in Belgrade despite His belief that he had the virus.

he is too He admitted that his declaration form falsely claimed that he had not traveled within the 14 days prior to his trip to AustraliaWhich he attributed to the fault of his agent.

After Djokovic’s arrest, two other people – Czech player Renata Vorakova and an official – who entered the country with the same exemption, were informed that it was not true and both left Australia without appealing the ruling.

Djokovic’s name remains in the tournament draw and is likely to remain that way until it is clear whether he will leave the country or appeal the decision.