Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates his win over Marin Cilic of Croatia during match 2 of the Davis Cup Semi-Finals at Madrid Arena on December 3, 2021.
Sanjin Strukic | Pixsell | MB Media | beautiful pictures
Tennis star Novak Djokovic won his match in Australia after his visa was canceled due to his Covid-19 vaccination status ahead of the Australian Open.
Australian Federal Judge Anthony Kelly read out the ruling during an emergency virtual hearing on Monday. “The court will order the following: Paragraph 1, the decision of the authorized person on the cancellation of applicant 048’s provisional activity visa was made on January 6, 2022,” he said.
Djokovic’s fans who had gathered outside the hotel where the world tennis champion was detained erupted into cheers and Serbian patriotic songs when the news was announced.
This means Djokovic’s visa is still valid. He will be released from custody and will have his passport and other belongings confiscated at the time of detention.
The 34-year-old Serbian national was detained in an immigration facility last week after arriving in Melbourne ahead of the Australian Open for what officials say was a breach of the country’s strict entry rules The country requires visitors to be vaccinated against Covid-19. Djokovic, a vaccine skeptic aiming for a record 21st Grand Slam title, had his visa revoked and passport confiscated after customs officials decided he didn’t have enough reason health care to be exempted from the vaccine.
Supporters of Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic gather outside the Park Hotel, where the star athlete is expected to be held while he is in Australia, in Melbourne, Australia, January 6, 2022.
Loren Elliott | Reuters
Judge Kelly made a point in Djokovic’s defense on Monday, asking to know what more the athlete could do to meet Australia’s entry requirements. The government on Monday admitted that it did not give Djokovic and his team enough time to react following the announcement of his visa cancellation.
But the story isn’t over yet – Australia’s immigration minister can still step in and cancel his or her visa in person regardless of the new reason. If the Minister, Alex Hawke, decides to take that action, Djokovic could face a new court battle and potentially up to a three-year ban from tennis in Australia.
The story sparked debate around the vaccine requirements and focused on Australia’s strict Covid measures, which have seen Australians endure several rounds of long-term embargo. the strictest and most rigorous in the world. While the incident has outraged Djokovic fans domestically and around the world, many in Australia have fanned the idea that the millionaire tennis player can circumvent their country’s laws when no one else can. Okay.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has criticized Djokovic, saying “rules are rules.” But in a situation of irony, Judge Kelly referred to that very statement when explaining his decision Monday: “We all follow the same rules. [to cancel the visa] should be set aside for the reasons outlined in the notation. In other words: those rules were not followed. “
