Djokovic wins court battle to stay in Australia
10 January 2022, 03:34 pm | Updated: 22 November 2024, 03:48 am
Tennis star Novak Djokovic has won a court battle challenging the cancellation of his Australian visa, in a case that has drawn global attention.
Djokovic’s lawyers argued the cancellation was unreasonable-the government conceded this, and judge Anthony Kelly also agreed.
The judge ordered the immediate release of the Serbian tennis player and for the government to pay all costs.
But the saga may not be over just yet - Australia's immigration minister is considering using his power to re-cancel the visa.
The government insists that Djokovic's recent Covid-19 infection does not make him eligible for an exemption from entry rules.
The world number one was dramatically denied entry at Melbourne airport on Wednesday and sent to a notorious immigration detention hotel.
Djokovic was allowed to leave briefly to watch the court hearing from his lawyers' office.
Serbia's government has reacted with outrage to the incident, saying the tennis player was being unfairly targeted.
The Australian Open begins on 17 January and if Djokovic wins, he will become the most successful men's player in history.
