Immigration officials said earlier today the world tennis number one, who is unvaccinated against COVID-19, may pose a risk to the community, limiting his hopes of competing for his 21st grand slam.
Australia delays Novak Djokovic's deportation
Australia has agreed to delay Novak Djokovic's deportation, according to his lawyers, after they launched a late-night legal fight for the player to stay in the country and avoid being deported after his visa was cancelled for a second time today.
But the Serbian's lawyers fought back, arguing in court that Immigration Minister Alex Hawke cancelled Djokovic's visa on the grounds his presence in the country might excite anti-vaccination sentiment, and not because he was unvaccinated.
The minister's decision was 'patently irrational', Djokovic's lawyer Nicholas Wood.
The visa cancellation could mean Djokovic would be barred from a new Australian visa for three years, except in compelling circumstances that affect Australia's interest.
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However, the Australian judge who blocked Djokovic's deportation scheduled an emergency hearing with the player's lawyers saying he is seeking an injunction against the deportation.
The lawyers spoke at a late-night hearing at the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia before Judge Anthony Kelly, the same judge who on Monday quashed an earlier cancellation of Djokovic's visa.
There is also a video circulating showing a car believed to be carrying the player arriving at his lawyer's offices ahead of the hearing being announced.
Story Credit, Daily Mail.
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