Novak Djokovic visa ban overturned ahead of Australian Openon November 16, 2022 at 5:24 am

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

The Serbian tennis star was deported from the country in January in a row over his vaccine status.

Novak Djokovic celebratesImage source, Getty Images

The path has been cleared for Novak Djokovic to play in the Australian Open, after the Australian government overturned a visa ban.

The Serbian tennis star was detained in January over his refusal to be vaccinated against Covid.

He was deported from the country 10 days later, despite mounting a successful legal challenge.

At times dubbed “Fortress Australia”, the country had some of the strictest pandemic restrictions in the world.

When Djokovic arrived in Australia in January, Covid cases were skyrocketing and government rules required anyone entering the country be vaccinated, unless they had a valid medication exemption.

He did not meet the requirements for entry, the government said, so his visa was cancelled and he was automatically banned from entering the country for three years.

But Immigration Minister Andrew Giles – whose government came to power in May – has overturned the ban and is set to grant Mr Djokovic a visa, the BBC has confirmed.

Speaking speaking earlier Tuesday, Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley said he was confident that Djokovic would play in next year’s Open.

“I know Novak wants to come and play and to get back to competing,” he told the Australian Associated Press.

“He loves Australia and it’s where he’s had the best success.”

The tennis champion earlier this year told the BBC he flew into Australia believing he had obtained the medical exemptions required.

But he was detained and questioned by border officials in Melbourne on 5 January, and his visa was cancelled in the early hours of the following morning.

This video can not be played

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

Djokovic was taken to a notorious immigration detention hotel, where he remained as he challenged the decision in court.

The court later overturned the decision to cancel his visa, but then-Immigration Minister Alex Hawke used special discretionary powers to cancel it again, arguing it was “in the public interest” to do so.

In court documents, Mr Hawke said Djokovic was “perceived by some as a talisman of a community of anti-vaccine sentiment” and his presences in the could lead to “civil unrest”.

Many in Australia cheered the decision but it also sparked an uproar among supporters who gathered outside his hotel, as well as in Serbia.

- Advertisement -

Discover

Sponsor

Latest

Brentford 0-1 West Ham United: Said Benrahma’s strike sees Hammers throughon January 7, 2023 at 7:32 pm

Said Benrahma's goal helps West Ham into the FA Cup fourth round at the expense of his former side Brentford.Said Benrahma's goal helps West...

EU governments ban malaria drug for COVID-19, trial paused as safety fears grow

European governments moved on Wednesday to halt the use of anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19 patients, and a second global trial was suspended,...

China may give Russia weapons for Ukraine war, Antony Blinken warnson February 19, 2023 at 10:41 am

The US secretary of state said Beijing was considering "lethal support" for Russia in Ukraine.Image source, Getty ImagesBy Samuel Horti in London and James...

Aston Villa 2-1 Everton: Steven Gerrard’s side claim first win of seasonon August 13, 2022 at 1:39 pm

Aston Villa get their Premier League campaign up and running with victory over Everton as Steven Gerrard beats his old midfield rival Frank Lampard.Aston...

Tiger Woods set to play Masters at Augusta Nationalon April 5, 2022 at 3:39 pm

Five-time Masters champion Tiger Woods says "as of right now I am going to play", adding that he will play nine more practice holes...