Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Sheikh Qassem: Resistance is a source of power for Lebanon that must be preserved.
Sheikh Qassem: "Israel" must implement the agreement as Lebanon has already done so, and any new accord would amount to absolving it and opening the door to further attacks.
Sheikh Qassem: We do not wish to assume anyone's role; those accusing us of this must cease their accusations.
Sheikh Qassem: We will recover our lands through national solidarity; Resistance's goal is national liberation, while enemy goal is occupation.
Sheikh Qassem: Protection of sovereignty protects Lebanon. It is in real danger because of US belligerence, greedy Israeli expansion.
Qassem to Lebanese people: We are not asking for support but for us not to be stabbed in the back in the back or for some to serve Israeli interests; government is primary party responsible for [preservation of] sovereignty.
Sheikh Qassem: "Israel" can occupy, but it cannot persist in occupation of our land.
Sheikh Qassem: Intimidation will not change our stance of resistance and steadfastness. We are not advocates of surrender or defeat, and we will never accept it.
Sheikh Qassem: Where does US stand regarding enemy's unjustified assassination of a government worker and other civilian martyrs?
Sheikh Qassem: Is the Lebanese Army's defense of its land and citizens an accusation [leveled against it]? Where does US stand regarding the enemy's killing of civilians and constant destruction?

Djokovic wins in court, judge orders his release

  • By Al Mayadeen Net
  • Source: Agencies
  • 10 Jan 2022 17:25
4 Min Read

After being held in immigration detention for five days, an Australian court orders that the World tennis number one Novak Djokovic "be released immediately and forthwith."

  • x
  • An Australia judge instructed that the tennis superstar
    An Australian judge instructed that the tennis superstar "be released immediately and forthwith from immigration detention".

World tennis number one Novak Djokovic won a stunning victory over the Australian government Monday, overturning the cancellation of his visa and ending five days of detention.

In an emergency online court hearing, the judge ordered that the decision to cancel Djokovic's visa over his COVID-19 vaccination status "be quashed".

Judge Anthony Kelly ordered the Australian government to release the tennis star from detention and restore his visa that it had canceled because #Djokovic has not been vaccinated for #COVID19. #AustralianOpen2022 #Serbia pic.twitter.com/u8kAV21fG9

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) January 10, 2022

He instructed that the unvaccinated tennis superstar "be released immediately and forthwith from immigration detention".

After the court's order, the Serbian champion tweeted a photo with his team on a tennis court in Australia.

"I’m pleased and grateful that the Judge overturned my visa cancellation," Djokovic expressed.

I’m pleased and grateful that the Judge overturned my visa cancellation. Despite all that has happened,I want to stay and try to compete @AustralianOpen
I remain focused on that. I flew here to play at one of the most important events we have in front of the amazing fans. 👇 pic.twitter.com/iJVbMfQ037

— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 10, 2022

Setback for Australia's government

It was an extraordinary setback for Australia's conservative government, which has imposed strict border restrictions for the past two years to halt the spread of COVID.

Several hundred fans dressed in the Serbian national colors thronged to the Melbourne law offices where Djokovic had watched his successful appeal, dancing and chanting his nickname "Nole".

The 34-year-old had arrived in Melbourne on Wednesday ahead of the Australian Open, which starts in one week, hoping to win a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title.

But the tournament may yet be out of reach.

Tennis champion #NovakDjokovic's detention has sparked international scrutiny, what's next for this case?#AustralianOpen2022 #Serbia pic.twitter.com/qhIwlPE8Mk

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) January 8, 2022

The government's lawyer told the court that Immigration Minister Alex Hawke may decide to use his "personal power of cancellation" despite the player's legal victory.

Related News

Djokovic loses appeal, set to leave Australia

Djokovic in detention center waiting for deportation

Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley defended Monday his organization from criticism that it failed to warn players that a previous infection did not qualify them for entry without a COVID-19 vaccination.

Tiley said he had asked the government to review medical exemptions before the players arrived, but "they declined".

"We asked if they could please assess our decisions. We said we're going to need some help to make sure we're doing the right thing. We'd be in a different situation today," he told The Sydney Morning Herald. 

Read more: Djokovic Could Miss the Australian Championship

Nadal supports Djokovic

As other players now enter the final intense phase of preparations for the tournament, Djokovic faces huge pressure to be ready in time.

For his part, Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal said "it is the fairest thing" for his long-time on-court rival to play in the Australian Open.

"Regardless of whether or not I agree on some things with Djokovic, without any doubt, justice has spoken," Nadal told Spanish radio station Onda Cero.

What happened?

After touching down in Australia, Djokovic was taken into an overnight interview with border agents, who decided the champion had failed to present a solid medical reason for not being jabbed.

"I am not vaccinated," he told the official. 

Djokovic's visa was revoked, and he was moved to a notorious immigration detention facility pending deportation.

He spent four nights in the former Park Hotel, a facility that holds about 32 migrants trapped in Australia's hardline immigration system -- some for many years.

An early plea by Djokovic to be moved to a facility where he can train for the Australian Open had fallen on deaf ears, his lawyers said.

Unreasonable actions

The court's finding, read out in an online hearing, said the government had conceded that its actions were "unreasonable" because the player was not given the chance to reply fully before his visa was torn up.

In the early hours of Thursday, Djokovic was told he had until 8:30 am (2130 GMT Wednesday) to reply to the proposed cancellation of his visa. But instead, the border agent canceled it at 7:42 am.

Had Djokovic been given until 8:30 am as first promised, "he could have consulted others and made submissions to the delegate about why his visa should not be canceled," the judge said.

At a rally in Belgrade, Djokovic's mother Dijana claimed her son was staying "in not human conditions" at the detention center.

Another tennis player -- Czech doubles specialist Renata Voracova -- also had her visa canceled after obtaining a medical exemption.

She flew out of Australia on Saturday after being held in the same facility as Djokovic.

Read more: Djokovic honored by Serbia postal service

  • Australia Open
  • Tennis
  • Serbia
  • Melbourne
  • Novak Djokovic
  • belgrade
  • Australia
  • Rafael Nadal

Most Read

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Hi-tech holocaust: Microsoft’s role in Gaza genocide

Microsoft's role in world’s first AI-driven genocide, in Gaza, exposed

  • Technology
  • 28 Oct 2025
Sheikh Naim Qassem speaks during an interview with Al-Manar TV, October 26, 2025 (Screenshot)

Hezbollah ready to face 'Israel' in case of war: Sheikh Naim Qassem

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
The secret cloud deal: Google and Amazon “winking” pact with 'Israel'

With a 'wink', Israeli control over Google, Amazon cloud data exposed

  • Technology
  • 29 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
ap
Politics

Hamas calls on int’l community to act against Israeli settlement plan

In this Nov. 9, 2017, file photo, U.S. President Donald Trump, right, chats with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (AP)
Economy

Ex-US diplomat says Trump-Xi deal 'tactical retreat', not lasting deal

An unarmed Minuteman II intercontinental ballistic missile launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, during a test in 2002. (US Air Force)
Politics

JD Vance defends Trump's nuclear test plan as 'crucial for security'

Ultra-Orthodox Jews attend the "million man" protest against military conscription, in occupied al-Quds, October 30, 2025 (AFP)
Politics

Haredi mass rally in al-Quds exposes Zionist regime's growing crisis

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS