"Refusing Vaccination" Djokovic Faces Possible Deportation from Australia

Visa Canceled Due to Unvaccinated Status Despite Entering for Australian Open
Court Begins Emergency Hearing Ahead of Tournament Starting on the 17th

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hye-young] The outlook for Novak Djokovic (35, Serbia), the world No. 1 male tennis player, to participate in this year's Australian Open has become increasingly bleak.

According to major foreign media on the 14th, an Australian court has begun an emergency hearing regarding the cancellation of Djokovic's visa after entering Australia without being vaccinated against COVID-19. US CNN and UK BBC reported, "On the night of the 14th, the Australian court started an emergency hearing."

Since the Australian Open, which Djokovic intends to participate in, opens on the 17th, this move is interpreted as an attempt to reach a conclusion before then.

The Associated Press quoted Kian Von, an immigration specialist lawyer in Melbourne, Australia, saying, "It will be very difficult for Djokovic's side to receive a court ruling over the weekend that would allow him to participate in the Australian Open."

Djokovic entered Australia on the 5th but was denied a visa. To enter Australia, one must be vaccinated against COVID-19, but Djokovic is unvaccinated.

Djokovic used a vaccination exemption permit upon entering Australia. His side claimed that testing positive for COVID-19 in December last year qualified him for the exemption. They also said they had received confirmation from the Victorian state government, where the Australian Open is held, and from Tennis Australia that he qualified for the vaccination exemption.

However, the Australian federal government did not recognize this. After the government canceled his visa, Djokovic spent the night of the 5th at Melbourne International Airport and was quarantined in a facility in Melbourne city from the 6th to the 10th.

On the 10th, the Australian Federal Court ruled in Djokovic's favor, raising the possibility of his participation, but Immigration Minister Alex Hawke canceled Djokovic's visa again on the 14th by exercising his authority.

With the tournament opening on the 17th, time is tight until the weekend.

Lawyer Von explained, "Djokovic has two tasks: to obtain a ruling that prevents his deportation from Australia and to get a visa that allows him to participate in the tournament," adding, "It is very rare for courts to rule in favor of the government by ordering 'issue the visa.'"

If Djokovic's absence is confirmed before the schedule is announced on the 17th, the No. 1 seed position currently held by Djokovic will be taken by Andrey Rublev (5th seed, Russia). If his absence is confirmed after the schedule is announced on the 17th, the position in the draw currently held by Djokovic will be inherited by the highest-ranked 'lucky loser' among the players eliminated in the qualifiers.

If Djokovic withdraws after playing at least one match, the player who was to face him will receive a walkover.