“Extremely Disappointed with the Ruling”: Novak Djokovic on Losing Visa Appeal at Australian Open 2022
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TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 31: Novak Djokovic of Team Serbia looks on during his Men’s Singles Bronze Medal match against Pablo Carreno Busta of Team Spain on day eight of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Tennis Park on July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Amin Mohammad Jamali/Getty Images)
Breaking news came in from Australia, as the hearing for the visa cancellation case of Novak Djokovic has finally come to an end. The Serbian lost his case and will not get deported from the country. On Sunday, the high court handed out the verdict and decided to cancel Djokovic’s visa, and this is heartbreaking news for him.
The whole saga first started when the Australian Government canceled Novak’s visa upon his arrival on 5th January for not providing enough evidence about his non-vaccination status.
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After a lot of court case drama about his visa cancellation, an Australian judge ordered his release from detention on 10th January and that freed him to play in the Australian Open. However, after the statement by the Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke on Friday, Djokovic’s chances to play in the Australian Open became very low.
Watch This Story: Rafael Nadal, Ash Barty, and others react to Djokovic’s Australian Open controversy.
Novak Djokovic reacts after losing the court case
The judge said this case is relevant because of the words the Immigration Minister used in his statements. The release stated, “Matters involved in the controversy go to the very preservation of life and health in the community.”
Judge in his opening remarks says that this case easily reaches the relevance for this higher court because of framing:
"not the least of which the minister himself [said]…matters involved in the controversy go to the very preservation of life and health in the community."
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 15, 2022
The judge also said the case will not go on for very long and the verdict will be out very soon. The judge said, “We should be able to finish this argument by lunchtime…if that’s not possible, it’s not possible; the court is not setting a timeline.”
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"'Mr. Djokovic is a high-profile unvaccinated individual'" is a statement from the minister which Djokovic's lawyers say they can't possibly refute.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 15, 2022
Djokovic’s lawyers were trying their best to argue against the Immigration Minister’s statement. They were saying that kicking Djokovic from the country will not be good for the sentiments of many anti-vax individuals. However, they are not saying that Djokovic is an anti-vax talisman. “That in itself might be apt to generate anti-vax sentiment,” Novak’s lawyers said.
Djokovic lawyers are trying to turn Minister's argument on its head, saying that kicking Djokovic out of the country could stir up even more anti-vax passions.
"That in itself might be apt to generate anti-vax sentiment."
They're not arguing that he's not an anti-vax talisman.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 15, 2022
Government lawyers also brought out the point that Novak was against the vaccines even before they existed. They also mentioned his L’Equipe photoshoot, and said, “apparent disregard for…safety measures.”
After a lot of back and forth, the Judge finally decided to provide a unanimous order which did not go in Djokovic’s favor. The Judge’s final verdict is “dismissed with costs.”
BREAKING:
Djokovic's application to have his visa cancellation overturned is to be "dismissed with costs."
Djokovic loses. He now has no Australian visa, and will be deported.
The nine-time #AusOpen champion will have to leave Australia in short order.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 16, 2022
After hearing the disappointing news, Djokovic finally made a statement about the whole fiasco. He said, “I am extremely disappointed with the ruling… I would like to wish the players, tournament officials, staff, volunteers, and fans all the best for the tournament.”
Statement from Novak Djokovic:
"I'd like to make a brief statement to address the outcomes of today’s Court hearing. I will now be taking some time to rest and to recuperate, before making any further comments beyond this. I am extremely disappointed with the ruling" @theage— Paul Sakkal (@paulsakkal) January 16, 2022
"I am uncomfortable that the focus of the past weeks has been on me and I hope that we can all now focus on the game and tournament I love. I would like to wish the players, tournament officials, staff, volunteers and fans all the best for the tournament."
— Paul Sakkal (@paulsakkal) January 16, 2022
Australian Open’s schedule changes after the verdict
Not only the tennis world, but Australian Open organizers were also waiting eagerly to hear the result of Djokovic’s case. Because, if Djokovic lost the case and got deported, a lucky loser will take Djokovic’s place and play Kecmanovic. Now ATP has announced that 150th-ranked Salvatore Caruso will replace the 20-time Grand Slam winner in the Draw.
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World No. 150 Salvatore Caruso is set to take Djokovic's spot as lucky loser at #AusOpen
— Tennis Majors (@Tennis_Majors) January 16, 2022
More bad news for the Serbian, as the Australian government will ban the Serbian from entering the country for three years and he will have to pay all the costs.
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Will Novak play in the Australian Open? Let us know in the comments.
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