International tennis superstar Djokovic was forced to leave Australia on January 16, missing the reigning men's singles title at the Australian Open. The Australian government has cancelled his entry visa for the second time, citing public health concerns. Djokovic appealed again, but was dismissed by the court.
According to CNN, Djokovic issued a statement saying he was "extremely disappointed" but respected the verdict and would cooperate on departure and other related matters. He also said he was upset that all the focus had been on him for the past two weeks and hoped that the outside world would now focus on tennis and the game he loves.
Djokovic had won a court victory on January 10. Australian Federal Circuit Judge Kelly has ruled to restore Djokovic's visa to allow him to play at the Australian Open. The judge also ordered his immediate release from a quarantine hotel in Melbourne. His supporters celebrated outside the law firm. Djokovic had his visa cancelled on Jan. 5 on the grounds that he did not meet the exemptions for non-citizens not to be vaccinated.
However, Australia's immigration minister revoked his visa for the second time, citing the threat to public health that Djokovic had not been vaccinated against the new coronavirus.
On Sunday, three federal court judges unanimously ruled against Djokovic after an appeal hearing. However, the basis for the decision was not immediately announced.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in response to the Djokovic incident that no one is above the rules.
The report said Sunday's hasty federal court hearing focused on whether Australian Immigration Minister Hawke's cancellation of Djokovic's visa was "unreasonable". Djokovic's lawyers challenged the authorities' decision on three grounds, including a minister's failure to properly consider the consequences of his visa cancellation.
Djokovic's lawyers stressed that Hawke's decision was "unreasonable" because he did not consider that the cancellation of Djokovic's visa could itself inspire anti-vaccine advocates, which the government wants to prevent. But government lawyers say Djokovic's failure to get vaccinated is an indicator of his anti-vaccination attitude. Meanwhile, under Australian immigration law, the immigration minister does not need to prove that he poses a threat to public health, a "may" is sufficient.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Sunday condemned the Australian government's "harassment" of Djokovic, accused Australia's judicial process of being "Orwellian," and welcomed Djokovic, according to the New York Times. Qi returned to Serbia with his head held high.