Novak Djokovic facing three year Australian Open ban with new case set to return to court

Novak Djokovic: Nigel Farage criticises Australian government

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Novak Djokovic is facing a potential three-year ban from the Australian Open despite winning his appeal overnight. Djokovic is currently free to enter Australia after a judge revoked the decision to cancel his visa. However, the saga is far from over and the case could return to court.

Djokovic had been detained in a quarantine hotel for the last few days after having his medical exemption to enter the country revoked.

But in the early hours of the morning UK time, judge Anthony Kelly ordered the immediate release of the world No 1.

The Australian Open starts in seven days’ time, leaving Djokovic little time to prepare for the first Grand Slam of 2022.

However, there is still a possibility he does not compete in Melbourne.

The Guardian reports that Australia immigration minister Alex Hawke can now personally intervene and cancel Djokovic’s visa on new grounds.

The Australian government said in court that could be the case.

Djokovic could therefore see himself back in court and could be banned from Australia completely for three years.

No men’s player in the open era have won more titles at the Austraian Open than Djokovic’s nine.

Government counsel Christopher Tran warned that Djokovic’s visa could be re-canceled.

Tran confirmed Hawke would be considering whether to exercise his power to do so.

On that, judge Kelly said: “In a view, the stakes have risen rather than receded.”

Djokovic’s lawyer Goran Draganic spoke during the hearing to Serbian TV ahead of the decision to uncancel his visa.

Draganic explained how Djokovic was given the correct documents before entering Australia.

“The first thing is that Novak was given the regular visa for Australia in November,” he said.

“He got the medical exemption on December 30. That exemption is based on the verification of two independent medical panels – the first by Tennis Australia and the second by the Victorian government.

“So, he could travel based on the second verification. Two days later, Novak gets the formal document from the Department of Home Affairs that he can freely travel to Australia.

“I am sure the legal team in Australia will also use serious procedural shortcomings during his questioning.”

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