Novak Djokovic faces more heat

Novak Djokovic at Melbourne Park yesterday. Pic/Getty Images

Australia cancelled Novak Djokovic's visa for a second time on Friday in a new attempt to deport the unvaccinated tennis superstar. However, Djokovic is scheduled to have an interview with Australian immigration officers this morning and the government will delay his deportation until this fresh legal challenge is over, a government lawyer told reporters.

Australia's conservative government, defeated once in the courts, invoked extraordinary executive powers to again rip up the Serbian's visa on public interest grounds. The move came just three days before the Australian Open starts, putting Djokovic's dream of a record 21st Grand Slam in serious doubt. Djokovic, an avowed Covid-19 vaccine sceptic, is the tournament's top seed and had been practising on the Melbourne Park courts just hours before Immigration Minister Alex Hawke's bombshell decision was announced. The government is "firmly committed to protecting Australia's borders, particularly in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic," Hawke said in a statement. He cited "health and good order grounds" for the decision and said "it was in the public interest to do so."

PM backs decision

Prime Minister Scott Morrison backed the decision: "Australians have made many sacrifices during this pandemic, and they rightly expect the result of those sacrifices to be protected." The visa cancellation means the World No.1 tennis player could be barred from obtaining a new Australian visa for three years, except under exceptional circumstances. But at an emergency court hearing late on Friday, Djokovic's lawyer Nick Wood requested an injunction against his removal and appealed for him to be allowed to remain out of immigration detention as the case proceeds. "We are very concerned about time," Wood said, arguing that the government's decision was marked by "irrationality."

Chasing record title

However, if Djokovic, who is drawn against fellow Serb Miomir Kecmanovic in the first round, does play and goes on to win the Australian Open, he would become the most successful men's tennis player in history with 21 majors.

09
No. of Australian Open titles won by Novak Djokovic

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