Novak Djokovic to be deported after losing visa appeal

Novak Djokovic has lost his court appeal against the cancellation of his visa and will be deported from Australian shores.  His visa has been cancelled as a result. And he will be unable to defend his title in the Australian Open 2022 which kicks off tomorrow.

He will now face a three-year ban on returning to Australia.

According to Federal Court chief justice James Allsop, the decision was unanimous.

Novak Djokovic has released a statement following the court ruling:

“I would like to make a brief statement to address the outcomes of today’s Court hearing. I will now be taking some time to rest and to recuperate, before making any further comments beyond this.

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.

I am uncomfortable that the focus of the past weeks has been on me and I hope that we can all now focus on the game and tournament I love. I would like to wish the players, tournament officials, staff, volunteers and fans all the best for the tournament.

Finally, I would like to thank my family, friends, team, supporters, fans and my fellow Serbians for your continued support. You have all been a great source of strength to me.”

Twitter has erupted with strong sentiments on both sides.

Regardless of the outcome, the #Djokovich matter highlights the extraordinary powers the Gov has under the Migration Act. Think of the many asylum seekers locked up in detention, who the media don’t focus their attention on and who don’t get live-streamed hearings.

— Scott Walker (@Scott_Walker_A) January 16, 2022

Um, like, get vaccinated? #djokovich pic.twitter.com/mDA3MUYmoU

— Levi West (@levijwest) January 10, 2022

Djokovic.
If you agree or disagree with vaccination is irrelevant. Bending the law for certain individuals of status is a very slippery slope to embark upon.#djokovich

— David???????????? (@David39133380) January 9, 2022

If I was #Djokovich and I wanted to try win my 10th Australian Open and break the grand slam record, I simply would have gotten vaccinated

— Shane (@_Willo_) January 16, 2022

So if I understand the Court’s decision correctly, this is the new Australian flag, correct?
In all seriousness – that so many people have been watching the legal process unfold is really quite something #Djokovich pic.twitter.com/G4G4bz9eQV

— Ms Ffy LC????️‍???????????????????????????????????????? ???? (@LittleMsFfyFfy) January 16, 2022

Some upside for poor #Djokovich He is well placed to be the new face of the No Jab, No Play program run by the Vic Gov. pic.twitter.com/m0a7kLoLCv

— Scott Hudson (@SAHuddo) January 16, 2022

Very unlikely that a HC application could be made and decided before competition starts tomorrow. #Djokovich

— Benny Watson ⚖️ (@benwatson200) January 16, 2022

Game. Set. Match.
Embarrassing situation all round by authorities but #Djokovich embraced the #antivax movement and for that I don’t feel any sympathy for the man. Great tennis player, yes, but just get the jab and we’d have avoided the whole sorry drama.

— Randle McMac (@RandleMcMac) January 16, 2022

Breaking news, if you break rules, sometimes it doesn’t matter if you’re the #1 ranked tennis player I. The world.

Getting out of this pandemic requires a global effort, from everyone. At least honesty.

That includes you, #Djokovich https://t.co/M9MDmceJa6

— Alok GET UR VAX Patel (@AlokPatelMD) January 16, 2022

On Friday the 14th January, Immigration Minister Alex Hawke announced he was cancelling Djokovic’s visa, “on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so”.

“Today I exercised my power to cancel the visa held by Mr Novak Djokovic on health and good order grounds,” he said in a statement.

“In making this decision, I carefully considered information provided to me by the Department of Home Affairs, the Australian Border Force and Mr Djokovic.

“The Morrison government is firmly committed to protecting Australia’s borders, particularly in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I thank the officers of the Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Border Force who work every day to serve Australia’s interests in increasingly challenging operational environments.”

Djokovic’s lawyers challenged the second visa cancellation and the result was handed down at 5.45m AEST on Sunday 16th January 2022.