As Australia revokes Djokovic’s visa once more, he faces deportation.
Djokovic's visa has been revoked for the second time since he arrived in Melbourne last week to defend his Australian Open title.
Novak Djokovic, the world number one tennis player, is facing deportation after the Australian government revoked his visa for the second time.
Three days before the Australian Open, Immigration Minister Alex Hawke said he used his ministerial discretion to withdraw the 34-year-old Serb’s visa on public interest grounds.
Djokovic’s lawyers are anticipated to file an appeal with the Federal Circuit and the Family Court, as they did with the first cancellation.
Hawke said he revoked the visa for “health and good order reasons” and because it was in the public interest.
Hawke said in a statement, alluding to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, that “the Morrison Government is fully committed to securing Australia’s borders, particularly in connection to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Djokovic’s visa has been revoked for the second time since he arrived in Melbourne last week to defend his Australian Open title.
The Victoria state government and Tennis Australia, the tournament organizer, both granted his exemption from the COVID-19 immunization requirement. As a result, he was able to obtain a travel visa.
However, when he arrived in Melbourne, the Australian Border Force rejected his exception and cancelled his visa. Djokovic was held in an immigration detention hotel for four nights before the ruling was overturned by a judge on Monday.
Djokovic’s lawyers have a “very difficult” assignment getting court orders over the weekend to allow their client to participate next week, according to Melbourne-based immigration lawyer Kian Bone.
“It would be extremely difficult for Djokovic to get the results he needs to play over the weekend,” Bone said.
Hawke’s procrastination was bordering on punishing, according to Bone.
“I think from a strategic sense, he’s (Hawke’s) really hamstringing Djokovic’s legal team in terms of what sort of alternatives or remedies he could have if you left it any later than he has now,” Bone said hours before the decision was published.
The lawyers would have to appear before a Federal Circuit and Family Court duty judge or a higher judge.
