Tennis, Australia cancels Djokovic’s visa: “It’s a risk for the community”

The government exercised its discretion: “We are committed to protecting the country”

Australia canceled Novak Djokovic’s visa for the second time, explaining that the world number one in tennis can “pose a risk to the community” by not being vaccinated against Covid. The champion now risks being expelled in the next few hours, in the meantime he will have to return to the refugee hotel where he was detained upon his arrival in the country. The tennis player’s lawyers are preparing an appeal against the government measure: the Serbian tennis player number one in the world risks not being able to compete in the Australian Open and not being able to return to the country for three years. Meanwhile, Djokovic will have to show up for an interview with immigration officials.

Immigration Minister Alex Hawke used discretionary powers to cancel Djokovic’s visa again after a court canceled the previous revocation and released him from immigration detention on Monday.
The government “is firmly committed to protecting Australia’s borders,” continued Hawke, who then explained that he had “carefully considered” the information provided by Djokovic, the Department of Internal Affairs and the Australian Border Force. Under the article of the Migration Act that the minister used to exercise his power to cancel the visa, Djokovic would not have been able to obtain a visa to come to Australia for three years, except in compelling circumstances affecting interests. of Australia.

Djokovic, reigning Australian Open champion, had been drawn as the first seed and would have had to face compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic in the first round. Australia has experienced some of the longest lockdowns in the world and has a 90% vaccination rate among adults.

An online News Corp poll found 83% of Australians support player expulsion.