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
Political aide to the governor of Gilan Province in northern Iran: Air defenses in Rasht shot down a small hostile drone flying over the city
Israeli media: The presence of General Qaani at the “victory celebrations” in Tehran puts an end to the rumors and earlier reports claiming he had been assassinated
Israeli media: There is division within the US administration itself over the extent of what the strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities actually achieved
Israeli media: US intelligence also says Iran’s centrifuges remained largely intact
Israeli media: Netanyahu and Trump celebrated too soon, as US intelligence says Iran’s uranium stockpile was not damaged
Israeli Channel 13: The objectives set by Netanyahu for the operation against Iran have not been achieved
Early US intel assessment suggests strikes on Iran did not destroy nuclear sites, CNN reports, citing sources
Israeli media platform: An additional soldier has been confirmed killed in the serious incident in Gaza, who had previously been considered "missing" for some time
Pezeshkian: History will not forget how Iran’s enemies broke their pledges and agreements, resorting to aggression and invasion even during negotiations
Israeli media: Between 14 and 16 soldiers were injured in the incident, which reportedly involved two separate units at the brigade and division level

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

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a protest following the US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

Iran declares victory as ceasefire forces Israeli retreat

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025
Rescue team work at the site where a missile launched from Iran struck Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, June 16, 2025 (AP)

Wave 12 of Operation True Promise 3 launched, Sejjil deployed: IRGC

  • Politics
  • 18 Jun 2025
Iran launches strikes on Israeli targets, despite alleged ceasefire

Iran victorious as ceasefire with 'Israel' takes effect

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
'Israel's' medical supply ban to Gaza threatens newborns' lives
Health

Gaza's newborns at risk as 'Israel' blocks baby formula, supplies

Tehran
MENA

Thousands rally in Tehran in support of Iranian Armed Forces

FT
Palestine

UK’s Co-op halts sales of Israeli carrots over rights violations

Israeli security forces inspect the site struck by an Iranian missile strike that killed several people, in Beer al-Sabe', Occupied Palestine, on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 (AP)
Politics

In numbers: Iran's True Promise 3 devastates 'Israel' in 12 days

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