'Disappointed' Novak Djokovic Leaves Australia After Court Upholds His Visa Cancellation

An Australian federal court on Sunday ruled that Novak Djokovic will be deported from the country, upholding his latest visa cancellation.

"The orders of the court are that the amended application be dismissed with costs", Chief Justice James Allsop said.

According to the court, the ruling was based on the lawfulness and legality of the minister's decision to revoke Djokovic's visa.

"It is no part of the function of the court to decide upon the merits or wisdom of the [government's] decision", Allsop added, stressing that the verdict was unanimous among the three judges.

The reasoning behind the decision is expected to be issued in the coming days.

Addressing the ruling, Djokovic said he was "extremely disappointed", but stated he will respect the verdict, according to The Age. Later in the day, reports said that the tennis star had left the country on a plane from Melbourne to Dubai.

Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic practices ahead of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne

© REUTERS / TENNIS AUSTRALIA/SCOTT BARBOUR

The verdict took into consideration the arguments put forward by the government, suggesting that Djokovic's presence in the country may pose a danger to public health, as it excites "anti-vaccination sentiment".

This decision means that the tennis superstar won't be playing in the Australian Open despite him having already been drawn to play against fellow Serb Miomir Kecmanovic in the first round on Monday. It also means that Djokovic won't be able to apply for an Australian visa for the next three years.

"I welcome today's unanimous decision by the Full Federal Court of Australia, upholding my decision to exercise my power under the Migration Act to cancel Mr Novak Djokovic's visa in the public interest. I can confirm that Mr Djokovic has now departed Australia", Immigration Minister Hawke wrote on Twitter.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic also addressed the drama, noting that the Australian authorities had humiliated themselves by cancelling Djokovic's visa.

"Those who think that they have defended some principles have shown that they have no principles. They mocked the best tennis player for 10-11days to order the judgment, which they knew they would order from the very first day," Vucic told journalists.

The president added that the Australian authorities had initiated "a witch hunt" not only against Djokovic but also against Serbia to show how the world order works.

Controversy Around Djokovic's Visa

The tennis star was initially detained by authorities on 6 January, as he arrived to play in the Australian Open. He won the first round of court hearings on his visa cancellation, however, Minister for Immigration Alex Hawke revoked his visa after that, citing public interest.

During the hearings, government lawyer Stephen Lloyd claimed that Djokovic had "become an icon for anti-vaccination groups" - an argument the player previously called "irrational", saying he is not a part of the anti-vaccination movement.

Djokovic's visa was cancelled as the Australian authorities dismissed the medical reasons that helped him obtain an exemption from COVID vaccination - which is mandatory for all participants of the Australian Open.