Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic failed to make it to the Australian Open after a court dismissed his appeal against a deportation order.
The decision by the immigration minister to cancel the Serbian citizen’s visa on public interest grounds was upheld by three Federal Court judges on Friday.
In the meantime, Djokovic, who was not immunized against Covid-19, will remain in detention in Melbourne until he is deported. In addition to deportation, deportees are usually prohibited from returning to Australia for three years.
Djokovic’s visa cancellation was based on a finding that his presence in Australia could threaten the health and well-being of Australians, as well as potentially counterproductive to vaccination efforts in the country.
After arriving at Melbourne’s airport hours before he was scheduled to compete in 2022’s opening Slam, Djokovic’s visa was initially revoked. His visa was cancelled after officials determined that he was not eligible for a medical exemption under Australia’s rules for unvaccinated visitors.
