Dylan Bettencourt
Immigration Minister Alex Hawke’s decision to cancel Novak Djokovic’s visa for a second time was upheld by the Australian courts on Sunday morning, and it appears that Djokovic will definitely be flying back to Serbia.
The world’s number one tennis player, described as possibly the world’s number one legend, but also known as a “talisman of anti-vaccination sentiment” will be banned from re-entering Australia for three years.
The decision was made on the basis that the Serbian tennis star’s presence in the country may lead to civil unrest as many see Djokovic as an “anti-vax icon.”
The 34-year-old’s legal team argued this decision was not fully conclusive because Hawke’s decision was illogical, irrational and unreasonable.
The legal team said the decision made by the immigration minister was based on their client’s public statements on the Covid-19 vaccines without actually seeking his views. The lawyers added that Hawke had not considered anti-vaccination backlash if his visa was cancelled.
The minister’s counsel Stephen Lloyd argued on Sunday that Australia must not suffer what he described as “the presence of an alien for fear of what might happen if they were removed.”
As Hawke made use of his ministerial power to cancel Djokovic’s visa the tennis player will not be allowed to obtain a visa to enter the country for the next three years.
The decision could however be overturned in the future on the basis of compassion or national interest.
Djokovic entered the country at the start of January in the hope of making history by winning his 10th Australian and 21st Grand Slam title but he was detained as the Australian Border Force cancelled his visa.
The decision was overturned and Djokovic looked set to play in the tournament before his visa was cancelled for a second time.
Djokovic will look towards the remaining three Grand Slams, depending on vaccination requirements, if he is to win his 21st Grand Slam crown this year.
Image source: @AlJazeera
