Novak Djokovic Deported From Australia

Rabat – Novak Djokovic, the world’s current top tennis player, has lost a court case to defend his visa to Australia, and will be deported from the country.

The tennis star has been embroiled in controversy over the past 11 days as his visa was canceled due to issues with his refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

The Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke made the decision to cancel the athlete’s visa on Friday out of public safety interests, and three federal judges have sided with him on the decision on Sunday.

As per the ruling, Djokovic remained detained in Melbourne until he left the country. He has also been ordered to pay the costs of the appeal.

The Serbian player also faces a three-year ban from returning to Australia, except under “compelling circumstances.”

In a statement he released to the press after the court ruling was announced, Djokovic said that he is “extremely disappointed” with the decision.

“I respect the Court’s ruling and I will cooperate with the relevant authorities in relation to my departure from the country,” his statement adds.

He also expressed discomfort that the focus of the conversation had become focused on him, expressing wishes to focus now on the tournament and the sport.

The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) also released a statement.

“Today’s decision to uphold Novak Djokovic’s Australian visa cancellation marks the end of a deeply regrettable series of events,” the statement reads. “Ultimately, decisions of legal authorities regarding matters of public health must be respected.”

“Irrespective of how this point has been reached, Novak is one of our sport’s greatest champions and his absence from the Australian Open is a loss for the game,” it continues. “We wish him well and look forward to seeing him back on court soon.”

The ATP has also strongly recommended that all the other players get vaccinated.

Legal troubles

Djokovic’s troubles with the Australian government have been in the spotlight over the past two weeks.

Djokovic had previously made his stance against the COVID vaccine known, expressing in a statement that he is firmly against it being required to travel.

The director of the Australia Open tournament Craig Tiley announced in November that all players wishing to participate will have to be vaccinated, and that the medical exemptions would not be “a loophole for privileged players.”

The case gained international attention in January, after Djokovic had his visa canceled upon landing in Melbourne.

Details later came out that Djokovic had reportedly tested positive for the virus on December 16, but was later pictured in other events with children and other athletes, sparking questions over the validity of his test, and whether he is taking safety measures seriously or not.

“We’re now in a situation where either we accept that Novak knowingly participated in events with others, including kids, after having had a positive COVID test (& I don’t think he’d do that), or that the test result is faked,” British doctor and writer Rohin Francis said on Twitter.

Djokovic’s visa was later reinstated by a Federal Circuit judge, and the player blamed the troubles on a human error by his agents while filling out the relevant forms, but Immigration Minister Alex Hawke used his authority to withdraw the visa on Friday, citing public health concerns.

Split reactions

Reactions in the tennis community, as well as among the general public have been split regarding the decision and the way the events have played out.

Some welcomed the Australian government’s decision, arguing that the law has to be upheld equally regardless of the player’s status as the global No. 1.

“Djokovic tried to play without compromising his vax beliefs, and without the inconvenience of having to quarantine, and he had plenty of enablers working for him,” sports reporter Mike Dickson tweeted. “Ultimately it was beyond even him and his lawyers.”

Others have been more critical, blasting the way the Australian government handled the mess, and denying that the player poses any danger to the public health of Australians.

“The way Djokovic has been treated since winning the first appeal is an utter disgrace. He is not a threat to Australia,” French sports writer Carole Bouchard said.