Nine-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic could be deported later today, Thursday 6 January, after his visa was revoked by the federal government.
The hopes of the world No.1 landing a record 21st grand slam title in Melbourne later this month rest on a successful injunction by Djokovic to stop the deportation.
Djokovic has been transported from Tullamarine airport, where he was detained by border authorities after arriving late on Wednesday night, to a quarantine hotel in the inner-Melbourne suburb of Carlton.
He will remain there until his flight out of Australia is arranged, which could come as early as Thursday night, pending legal action.
Set to appeal the decision, Djokovic’s first likely legal step is at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
Health Minister Greg Hunt confirmed that Djokovic would have to leave the country after the cancellation of his visa.
“The ABF (Australian Border Force) can confirm that Mr Djokovic failed to provide appropriate evidence to meet the entry requirements to Australia and his visa has been subsequently cancelled,” Hunt told the Seven Network.
“It’s a matter for him whether he wishes to appeal that but if a visa is cancelled, somebody will have to leave the country
“That follows a review of the exemption which was provided through Victorian government processes.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison weighed in, saying no one was above border rules.
“Rules are rules, especially when it comes to our borders. No one is above these rules,” Morrison tweeted on Thursday morning.
But the move by the Australian government threatened to cause a diplomatic incident between Canberra and Belgrade.
“I’ve just finished my telephone conversation with Novak Djokovic,” Serbia president Aleksandar Vucic posted on Instagram.
“I told our Novak that the whole of Serbia is with him and that our bodies are doing everything to see that the harassment of the world’s best tennis player is brought to an end immediately.
“In line with all norms of international law, Serbia will fight for Novak, truth and justice.”
Djokovic had a vaccination exemption that allowed him to compete at the Open but there’s confusion over whether he had the wrong visa or insufficient medical evidence to support his exemption.
It’s reported that the visa Djokovic was using was the same as three other international tennis players with similar exemptions who had already entered the Australia without incident.
The Victorian government said it was a matter for federal authorities.
“We’ve always been clear on two points: visa approvals are a matter for the federal government, and medical exemptions are a matter for doctors,” Victoria’s acting Sports Minister Jaala Pulford said.
The world’s best men’s player was left stranded overnight in a police-guarded room at Melbourne Airport after a 14-hour flight from Dubai.
Djokovic’s entourage includes his coach, 2001 Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic, who stated the obvious in a social media post after their arrival.
“Not the most usual trip from Down Under,” he posted on Instagram with a selfie from an airport lounge, accompanied by face-palm and mind-blown emojis.
Never a stranger to controversy, 34-year-old Djokovic became the subject of a major public backlash after revealing on Tuesday that he’d received an exemption.
Amid the storm, Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley insisted Djokovic was getting no special treatment.
Australia’s world No.1 Ash Barty said she understood the frustration in the community at the exemption decision.
“I think it’s a tough one. As we’ve seen a little bit in the last day or so, from the Australian public, I know how hard it has been for Australians… but in particular Victorians have had a real rough trot over the last 18 months and two years.
“I understand why they may be frustrated with the decision.”
AAP with agencies
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