Novak Djokovic. Photo provided by Dreamstime.com. Novak Djokovic. Photo provided by Dreamstime.com.
Midwestern

Djokovic unable to defend Australian Open title

Three Australian Federal Court judges have upheld the cancellation of Novak Djokovic's visa, meaning the tennis star will not be able to defend his Australian Open title.

He says he is extremely disappointed, but will respect the court's ruling.

Djokovic's visa was initially cancelled on January 6th, hours after he arrived to compete in the first Grand Slam of 2022, after a border official decided Djokovic didn't qualify for a medical exemption from Australia's rules for unvaccinated visitors.

That move had been overturned by a court on procedural grounds before Immigration Minister Alex Hawke personally blocked Djokovic's visa on the grounds his presence in Australia may be a risk to the health and ``good order'' of the Australian public.

A deportation order usually means a three-year ban on returning to Australia.

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