Novak Djokovic’s visa cancelled again – just 3 days before Australian Open

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Australia's Minister for Immigration has cancelled Novak Djokovic's visa, just three days before the Australian Open.

Djokovic is unvaccinated against Covid though initially had a medical exemption to get into the country ahead of the first Grand Slam of the year.

Though he was initially detained upon arrival before winning an appeal, despite testing positive for Covid last month.

He could now miss the Melbourne tournament with Minister for Immigration Alex Hawke cancelling the visa due to public interest.

Hawke said: "Today I exercised my power under section 133C(3) of the Migration Act to cancel the visa held by Mr Novak Djokovic on health and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so.

"This decision followed orders by the Federal Circuit and Family Court on 10 January 2022, quashing a prior cancellation decision on procedural fairness grounds.

"In making this decision, I carefully considered information provided to me by the Department of Home Affairs, the Australian Border Force and Mr Djokovic.

"The Morrison Government is firmly committed to protecting Australia's borders, particularly in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I thank the officers of the Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Border Force who work every day to serve Australia's interests in increasingly challenging operational environments."

Is this the right decision? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below

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Djokovic had apologised for an "administrative mistake" having admitted he made a false declaration on his entry forms.

They incorrectly stated that he had not been to Spain in the two weeks before flying to Australia with authorities also looking into the fact Djokovic broke isolation rules at home in Serbia in December.

The visa cancellation doesn't necessarily mean Djokovic will be deported with the 20-time Slam winner able to opt for a legal challenge.

Though he doesn't have long as the Australian Open, where he is due to face fellow Serb Miomir Kecmanovic in the first round, begins on Monday.

The move by Hawke may also mean Djokovic faces a three-year ban on obtaining a new Australian visa.

The tennis star had admitted meeting a journalist and having a photoshoot after testing positive for Covid.

Though had said the false declaration on his travel form was made by his agent, calling it "human error" and adding that it was "not deliberate".

  • Novak Djokovic
  • Tennis
  • Breaking News

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