Novak Djokovic has been ordered to leave Australia, but is now fighting his deportation from a higher court. The tennis star’s case highlights that in order for blockchain tech and cryptocurrencies to be truly used by the masses, it will require governments adopting them too.
MELBOURNE, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA — Novak Djokovic expressed disappointment when a judge denied his plea to a deportation order on Sunday, acknowledging that his chances of competing in the Australian Open were crushed.
The top-ranked tennis player issued a statement immediately after three Federal Court judges unanimously backed Immigration Minister Alex Hawke’s decision on Friday to suspend the 34-year-old Serbian player’s visa on public interest grounds due to his lack of COVID-19 vaccination.
“I am very unhappy with the Court’s decision to deny my judicial appeal of the Minister’s decision to revoke my visa, which means I will be unable to remain in Australia and compete in the Australian Open,” Djokovic stated.
“I accept the Court’s decision and will work with the appropriate authorities to arrange my exit from the country,” he continued.
Djokovic claimed he was “uncomfortable” with the attention paid to him after his visa was revoked upon arriving at Melbourne’s airport on Jan. 6.
“I’m hoping that now we can all concentrate on the game and tournament that I like,” he remarked.
Djokovic, who has not been vaccinated against COVID-19, would most likely stay in jail in Melbourne until he is deported.
Unless a court order prevents it, deportation normally happens as quickly as feasible once an order is issued. Djokovic’s departure date has not been announced by the authorities. A three-year prohibition on returning to Australia is frequently included in a deportation order.
The question, according to Chief Justice James Allsop, was whether the minister’s judgment was “irrational or legally unreasonable.”
Hawke was pleased with the decision. His staff did not immediately respond to a request for information on how or when Djokovic will depart.
“Australia’s robust border protection regulations kept us safe throughout the epidemic,” Hawke said in a statement. “This resulted in one of the lowest mortality rates, best economic recoveries, and highest vaccination rates in the world.”
“Strong border protection measures are also critical to protecting Australia’s social cohesiveness, which is strengthening despite the epidemic,” he said.
Hawke’s comment was mirrored by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who said the verdict would help “keep our borders strong and keep Australians secure.”
Morrison stated in a statement, “It’s now time to get on with the Australian Open and get back to enjoying tennis during the summer.”
Djokovic might file an appeal with the High Court, but it is unlikely that he would be able to participate in the Australian event in time.
“I’m going to take some time to relax and heal before making any more statements,” he stated.
By Australian standards, the judicial procedure that Djokovic had thought would keep his hopes of winning a 21st Grand Slam alive was incredibly quick.
Djokovic’s attorneys appeared before a Federal Circuit and Family Court judge three hours after Hawke announced that Djokovic’s visa had been revoked on Friday afternoon. On Saturday, the matter was escalated to the Federal Court, and both parties submitted submissions on the same day.
On Sunday, the three judges heard the case for five hours before announcing their decision two hours later.
Tennis Australia, the tournament’s organizer, stated that Djokovic will play the final match on Monday at the Rod Laver Arena between the completion of the hearing and the judgment.
Miomir Kecmanovic, a fellow Serbian player rated 78th in the world, was his opponent.
Tennis Australia did not respond to a request for comment on the top player’s legal loss right away.
The minister revoked Djokovic’s visa, claiming that his presence in Australia might endanger the public’s health and “good order” and “could be detrimental to other Australians’ immunization efforts.”
Djokovic’s visa was first revoked on Jan. 6 by an Australian border officer who determined he didn’t qualify for a medical exemption from the country’s vaccination requirements.
Djokovic has nine Australian Open victories, including three in a row, and a total of 20 Grand Slam singles titles, tied for the most in men’s tennis history with rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Djokovic’s recent domination has been especially stunning, with victories in four of the last seven major events and runner-up finishes in two others.
In that period, the only time he didn’t make it to the final was at the 2020 U.S. Open, when he was disqualified in the fourth round for striking a ball that struck a line judge in the neck by accident during a game.
This article was written with the help of the Associated Press.
