Australia has for the second time in a few days canceled the visa of world number one Novak Djokovic in a dispute over whether he can remain unvaccinated in the country.
The government’s decision could result in Djokovic being banned from entering the country for three years. The nine-time Australian Open champion hoped to win this year as well, becoming the first player in history to reach 21 grand slam titles.
Djokovic’s visa was first revoked when he arrived in Melbourne on January 6, but was returned to him a few days later when the court ruled in his favor.
However, the delay of the Australian government in making its decision and the whole development in general raises concerns about how the organization of the Open and of Australia in general may be affected. Former Australian Director Paul McNamy wrote: “I do not like our grand slam to be ridiculed.”
Meanwhile, Australia’s state-run ABC network reported that two players who entered the country with a medical exception, such as Djokovic, left the country of their own free will (it was not clarified if they were men or women and whether to enter the draw to play Open next week).
“Issue of principle” the revocation of the visa
The government says visa bans were a matter of principle. Had it not been for this decision, the government would have faced accusations that it offered favorable treatment to an individual but a celebrity, simply because he “knows how to handle the racket well,” according to sources close to Scott Morrison’s government. .
The next two days are likely to be two days of intense consultations between Djokovic’s lawyers, the state’s legal advisers and the Australian judiciary. Djokovic’s lawyers are more likely to request that their client stay on Australian soil until the Australian court rules again.
“Today, I used my powers to revoke Novak Djokovic’s visa for reasons of health and order, on the grounds that it was in the public interest to do so,” Minister Hawk said in a written statement. .
DW
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