Djokovic's visa canceled again, faces deportation...again
2 Min Read
Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic has had his visa canceled for the second time by Australia's Immigration Minister, despite a court ruling allowing him to move freely around Australia.
-
Djokovic practicing in Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on January 11, ahead of the Australian Open
It seems Djokovic's saga is spiraling out of control, as Australian authorities have announced that they seek to detain him Saturday morning.
The men's tennis number one, Novak Djokovic, whose visa had been revoked last week by Australian authorities, was scheduled to play in the Australian Open on Monday.
Djokovic had successfully challenged Australian authorities' decision to cancel his visa despite having been granted a medical exemption by two independent medical boards. His visa was reinstated by a judge who ordered his release, and ruled that border officials did not use the correct procedure when Djokovic arrived.
The tennis champion was allowed to move around freely in the country and had been spending his time practicing for the Australian Open.
However, Australian authorities again interfered, with Australia's Immigration Minister Alex Hawke again canceling his visa, citing public interest: "Today I exercised my power... to cancel the visa held by Mr Novak Djokovic on health and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so."
This came after Djokovic said that his agent made a false declaration in his travel form, and that he was positive for COVID-19 in December when he met a journalist and had a photoshoot, for which he apologized.
Djokovic will meet immigration officials in Melbourne on Saturday.
