Novak Djokovic speaks out after Australian court overturns visa cancellation

By MiNDFOOD

Novak Djokovic speaks out after Australian court overturns visa cancellation
The Serbian tennis star has spoken out after the Australian Federal court overturned the border official's decision to cancel his visa.

World No.1 tennis player Novak Djokovic says he hopes to remain in Melbourne and compete in the Australian Open following visa controversy surrounding his vaccination status.

Djokovic has spent the past few days in immigration detention after a dispute about the validity of his medical exemption from the Covid-19 vaccination, which is required to compete.

“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 in the Australian Open,” he shared on Twitter, following the court ruling in his favour.

“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.”

Djokovic’s brother says after leaving the detention centre on Monday night, the tennis star went straight into training for the competition, which begins on 17 January.

The federal government says it is still considering whether to cancel his visa, which it has the power to do so despite the court ruling.

“It remains within Immigration Minister Hawke’s discretion to consider cancelling Mr Djokovic’s visa under his personal power of cancellation within section 133C(3) of the Migration Act. The Minister is currently considering the matter and the process remains ongoing,” said a spokesperson for Immigration Minister Alex Hawke.

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