A court has dismissed the top-ranked tennis star’s appeal against a deportation order. Novak Djokovic’s hopes of playing at the Australian Open were dashed Sunday after a court dismissed his appeal.
Three Federal Court judges unanimously upheld a decision made on Friday by Immigration Minister Alex Hawke to cancel the 34-year-old Serb’s visa on public interest grounds.
He will remain in detention in Melbourne until he is deported from Australia.
The decision likely means that Djokovic, who is not vaccinated against COVID-19, will remain in detention in Melbourne until he is deported.
Deportation usually occurs as soon as possible after an order unless prevented by court action. The government has not said when Djokovic will leave.
A deportation order also usually includes a three-year ban on returning to Australia.
The Serbian says he will take time out “to rest and to recuperate, before making any further comments”.
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“I am extremely disappointed with the Court’s decision to dismiss my application for judicial review,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
But “I respect the Court’s ruling and I will cooperate with the relevant authorities,” he said.
Bengali