Jan 16, 2022: Novak Djokovic, the Men’s category top tennis player launches emergency appeal to allow him to remain in Melbourne and defend his Australian Open title.
Novak Djokovic returned to court on Sunday to face a second deportation attempt by the Australian government. The world’s number one male tennis player, who has not been vaccinated against COVID-19, is appealing to Immigration Minister Alex Hawke to use his discretionary powers to revoke his visa on the grounds that he is a threat to public order.
The government stance for cancelling the visa is that Novak Djokovic’s anti vaccination stance will encourage public sentiments against the vaccine.
Djokovic’s lawyers told federal court there was no evidence to support the Australian government’s claim. Nick Wood, who works for Djokovic, pointed out how the player competed in the Australian Open last year and other major tournaments around the world without inciting anti-vaccination protests or unrest.
“If there was any foundation for thinking that Mr Djokovic’s presence and participation at a tennis tournament might somehow lead to this anti-vax sentiment, one would expect that it would be supported by some kind of evidence about anti-vax protests or rallies or the like at tennis events,” Wood said.
No such thing has been identified by the immigration minister, Wood said, adding that forcibly removing Djokovic could in fact give impetus to the anti-vaccination movement and protests.
The three federal court judges hope to hear the entire case on the same day so that the nine-time Australian Open champions can begin defending their title at the first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year on Monday.
As the court hearings took place, hundreds of activists held a peaceful rally outside the Melbourne Park complex that hosts the Australian Open, and planned another for Monday.
Djokovic, who has refused to be vaccinated against COVID-19, has been on a roller coaster for 10 days since arriving in Australia on January 5. The tennis star had tried to enter the country with medical immunity from the mandatory rules for vaccinating all guests but was denied entry.
The move comes after its exemption sparked widespread outrage in Australia, which has undergone some of the world’s toughest COVID-19 lockdowns, with more than 90 per cent of adults vaccinated.
The controversy has become a political touchstone for Prime Minister Scott Morrison as he prepares for the May election. Following the government’s initial decision to revoke his visa, Djokovic spent four nights in a hotel near the city of Melbourne before being released on Monday after he filed a lawsuit challenging the procedure for revoking his first visa.
But on Friday, the immigration minister again blocked Djokovic’s visa.
Djokovic, who has won the last three Australian Open titles, is seeking a record 21st Grand Slam singles title. He is currently tied with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, the most man in history. Serb’s top rivals have become restless due to the uncertainty surrounding the game.
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