Australian Open: Djokovic’s visa was revoked, but he will not be deported immediately

The controversy of ‘Nole’ around the Australian Open does not end. Australia spectacularly relaunched the saga around the expulsion of Novak Djokovic on Friday after canceling, for the second time, the ATP number one visa.

Despite this, an Australian judge ordered the same during an emergency hearing that Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic not be deported “immediately” from Australia until justice reviews the Government’s decision to annul his visa for the second time.

The 34-year-old tennis player was looking to achieve his 21st victory in a Grand Slam at the Australian Open, which would surpass the Spanish Rafa Nadal and the Swiss Roger Federer, absent due to injury; However, the chances are almost nil after the Australian government’s decision to cancel his visa again, arguing reasons for “Health and public order”.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s executive is “Firmly committed to protecting Australian borders, especially in this context of the Covid-19 pandemic”Immigration Minister Alex Hawke said in a statement.

For Morrison, this measure safeguards “The sacrifices” made by Australians during the pandemic, in one of the countries that has applied the most severe restrictions in the world to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

After the decision, ‘Nole’ ended up in an emergency hearing with his lawyer who requested the expulsion of the world tennis number 1 be blocked. Melbourne’s Federal Circuit Court decided to stay his deportation and announced that he will not be taken to a holding facility before he meets with immigration authorities on Saturday.

“We are very concerned about the times”, Wood – Djokovic’s lawyer – said before the judge, three days before the Australian Open begins.