Novak Djokovic returns to the tennis court after winning legal battle - but the world number one still may not play!
- Replies 12
After recent news of the tennis superstar receiving a medical exemption from the vaccine and his visa being subsequently cancelled, the tennis drama continues as Novak Djokovic was reported to have returned to the court for training after winning the legal battle to stay in Australia.
On Monday, the decision to cancel the athlete’s visa was overturned in the Federal Court - a ruling that briefly rekindled the world tennis number one's (and his fans’) hopes of winning a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title in the upcoming Australian Open.
However, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship may still exercise his power and have the unvaccinated Serbian champion deported.
Novak Djokovic has finally made his way to a tennis court in Australia. Credit: Adam Pretty/Getty Images.
Just hours after being released from his four-night detention in a hotel in Melbourne, the tennis player issued a statement on his official social media channels, expressing his willingness to stay in the country and compete in the upcoming Australian Open on January 17.
He also thanked the fans and believers for their unwavering support.
“I’m pleased and grateful that the judge overturned my visa cancellation,” Mr Djokovic wrote in the caption, alongside a photo with his coaching team at the Rod Laver Arena.
“Despite all that has happened, I want to stay and try to compete in the Australian Open; I remain focused on that. I flew here to play at one of the most important events we have in front of the amazing fans,” he continued.
“For now, I cannot say more but THANK YOU all for standing with me through all this and encouraging me to stay strong.”
Late-night access to the training grounds was granted to the athlete to give him time to be reacquainted with the tennis racket after almost a week of detention.
On Monday, Judge Anthony Kelly of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia overturned the federal government’s decision to cancel the Serbian’s visa, which blocked his entry to the country.
Mr Djokovic’s lawyers reasoned out that a COVID-19 infection last month meant the star was legally allowed entry to the country. According to a court transcript, Mr Djokovic told border officials he was unvaccinated and had been infected with COVID twice.
Judge Kelly ordered the Australian government to pay legal costs, stating that their decision to cancel the visa was “unreasonable”.
Credit: 9News.
However, despite the player’s legal victory, Mr Djokovic may still be deported from Australia, missing out on the chance to compete in the Australian Open.
Counsel for the Commonwealth Christopher Tran said Immigration Minister Alex Hawke may still exercise his personal powers to cancel the visa regardless.
“I am instructed that the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, not the Minister in this proceeding, will consider whether to exercise a personal power of cancellation under section 133C(3) of the Migration Act,” Mr Tran said.
“The Minister is currently considering the matter, and the process remains ongoing. Those are my instructions to inform the court.”
According to sources, Djokovic “could be banned from re-entering Australia for three years” should Hawke use this power. “But a three-year entry ban could be waived even if Mr Hawke does cancel the player’s visa.”
Novak Djokovic has won a joint-record of 20 Grand Slam men's singles titles, including 9 Australian Open titles. Credit: ATP Tour.
The Australian Open officially begins on January 17 and will be held at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia.
With Djokovic’s record currently tied with Switzerland’s Roger Federer and Spain’s Rafael Nadal, if the Serb manages to compete and win, he will become the most successful men’s player of all time.
On Monday, the decision to cancel the athlete’s visa was overturned in the Federal Court - a ruling that briefly rekindled the world tennis number one's (and his fans’) hopes of winning a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title in the upcoming Australian Open.
However, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship may still exercise his power and have the unvaccinated Serbian champion deported.
Novak Djokovic has finally made his way to a tennis court in Australia. Credit: Adam Pretty/Getty Images.
Just hours after being released from his four-night detention in a hotel in Melbourne, the tennis player issued a statement on his official social media channels, expressing his willingness to stay in the country and compete in the upcoming Australian Open on January 17.
He also thanked the fans and believers for their unwavering support.
“I’m pleased and grateful that the judge overturned my visa cancellation,” Mr Djokovic wrote in the caption, alongside a photo with his coaching team at the Rod Laver Arena.
“Despite all that has happened, I want to stay and try to compete in the Australian Open; I remain focused on that. I flew here to play at one of the most important events we have in front of the amazing fans,” he continued.
“For now, I cannot say more but THANK YOU all for standing with me through all this and encouraging me to stay strong.”
Late-night access to the training grounds was granted to the athlete to give him time to be reacquainted with the tennis racket after almost a week of detention.
On Monday, Judge Anthony Kelly of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia overturned the federal government’s decision to cancel the Serbian’s visa, which blocked his entry to the country.
Mr Djokovic’s lawyers reasoned out that a COVID-19 infection last month meant the star was legally allowed entry to the country. According to a court transcript, Mr Djokovic told border officials he was unvaccinated and had been infected with COVID twice.
Judge Kelly ordered the Australian government to pay legal costs, stating that their decision to cancel the visa was “unreasonable”.
Credit: 9News.
However, despite the player’s legal victory, Mr Djokovic may still be deported from Australia, missing out on the chance to compete in the Australian Open.
Counsel for the Commonwealth Christopher Tran said Immigration Minister Alex Hawke may still exercise his personal powers to cancel the visa regardless.
“I am instructed that the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, not the Minister in this proceeding, will consider whether to exercise a personal power of cancellation under section 133C(3) of the Migration Act,” Mr Tran said.
“The Minister is currently considering the matter, and the process remains ongoing. Those are my instructions to inform the court.”
According to sources, Djokovic “could be banned from re-entering Australia for three years” should Hawke use this power. “But a three-year entry ban could be waived even if Mr Hawke does cancel the player’s visa.”
Novak Djokovic has won a joint-record of 20 Grand Slam men's singles titles, including 9 Australian Open titles. Credit: ATP Tour.
The Australian Open officially begins on January 17 and will be held at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia.
With Djokovic’s record currently tied with Switzerland’s Roger Federer and Spain’s Rafael Nadal, if the Serb manages to compete and win, he will become the most successful men’s player of all time.
Last edited:
.png){kind=icon}
