Djokovic deported from Australia after losing court appeal
Skip to main content
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Splash
  • Features
  • Videos
  • Long Read
  • Games
  • Epaper
  • More
    • COVID-19
    • Bangladesh
    • Infograph
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Thoughts
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Subscribe
    • Archive
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
    • Supplement
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard
SUNDAY, MAY 29, 2022
SUNDAY, MAY 29, 2022
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Splash
  • Features
  • Videos
  • Long Read
  • Games
  • Epaper
  • More
    • COVID-19
    • Bangladesh
    • Infograph
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Thoughts
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Subscribe
    • Archive
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
    • Supplement
  • বাংলা
Djokovic deported from Australia after losing court appeal

Sports

Reuters
16 January, 2022, 04:20 pm
Last modified: 16 January, 2022, 06:36 pm

Related News

  • Djokovic 'holds no grudges' and wants to play in Australia again
  • Wimbledon's ban on Russians is a mistake says Djokovic
  • French Open draw makes Djokovic the favourite to win it this time
  • Rome champion Djokovic delights in 'sunshine double'
  • Djokovic wins Italian Open to claim first title in over six months

Djokovic deported from Australia after losing court appeal

The unanimous ruling by a three-judge bench dealt a final blow to the world's top men's player hopes of chasing a record 21st Grand Slam win at the Australian Open after a rollercoaster ride

Reuters
16 January, 2022, 04:20 pm
Last modified: 16 January, 2022, 06:36 pm
Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic walks in Melbourne Airport before boarding a flight, after the Federal Court upheld a government decision to cancel his visa to play in the Australian Open, in Melbourne, Australia, January 16, 2022. REUTERS/Loren Elliott
Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic walks in Melbourne Airport before boarding a flight, after the Federal Court upheld a government decision to cancel his visa to play in the Australian Open, in Melbourne, Australia, January 16, 2022. REUTERS/Loren Elliott

Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic flew out of Australia on Sunday after a court upheld the government's decision to cancel his visa, capping days of drama over the country's Covid-19 entry rules and his unvaccinated status.

The unanimous ruling by a three-judge Federal Court bench dealt a final blow to Djokovic's hopes of chasing a record 21st Grand Slam win at the Australian Open that starts on Monday.

The Serbian player went to the airport in Melbourne just hours later. Federal agents escorted him and his team from the business lounge to the gate, where he boarded an Emirates flight bound for Dubai. The flight took off shortly before 11 p.m. (1200 GMT).

In arollercoaster ride, the world's top men's player was first detained by immigration authorities on 6 January, ordered released by a court on 10 January and then detained on Saturday again pending Sunday's court hearing. 

Djokovic said after the ruling he was extremely disappointed as it meant he could not take part in the tournament.

"I respect the Court's ruling and I will cooperate with the relevant authorities in relation to my departure from the country," he said in a statement, and wished the tournament well.

Djokovic, 34, had appealed against Immigration Minister Alex Hawke's use of discretionary powers to cancel his visa. The minister had said Djokovic could be a threat to public order because his presence would encourage anti-vaccination sentiment amidst Australia's worst coronavirus outbreak. 

Chief Justice James Allsop said the court ruling was based on the lawfulness and legality of the minister's decision in the context of the three grounds of appeal Djokovic's legal team lodged.

"It is no part of the function of the court to decide upon the merits or wisdom of the decision," Allsop said, adding that the three judges were unanimous in their ruling. Full reasoning behind the ruling would be released in coming days, he said.

It was not immediately clear when Djokovic would leave the country.

'Keep borders strong' 

The player's visa saga has dominated headlines around the world and fuelled a debate over the rights of people who opt to remain unvaccinated as governments take measures to protect their people from the two-year coronavirus pandemic.

The controversy became a political touchstone for Prime Minister Scott Morrison as he prepares for an election due by May. His government has faced criticism for its handling of Djokovic's visa application.

Morrison welcomed the court's ruling, saying the decision will help "keep our borders strong and keep Australians safe."

"It's now time to get on with the Australian Open and get back to enjoying tennis over the summer," he said in a statement.

Djokovic had been granted a visa to enter Australia, with a Covid-19 infection on 16 December providing the basis for a medical exemption from Australia's requirements that all visitors be vaccinated. The exemption was organised through Tennis Australia.

That exemption prompted widespread anger in Australia, which has undergone some the world's toughest Covid-19 lockdowns and where more than 90% of adults are vaccinated. The government said recent infection alone did not meet its standards for an exemption.

Weeping fans 

But the player also had some support, especially in his native Serbia and from Serbians living in Australia.

Serbian prime Minister Ana Brnabic said on Sunday, "I think that the court decision is scandalous, I am disappointed, I think it demonstrated how the rule of law is functioning or better to say not functioning in some other countries." 

In Melbourne, around 70 Djokovic fans, including young children, sang folk songs and chanted in the Federal Court plaza while they waited for the court's ruling.

They gathered around a loudspeaker to hear the judge reading out the decision, but it took several minutes after the court adjourned before they worked out that Djokovic had lost. Two women were weeping, while others started up chants for a short while before the crowd dispersed.

"What they did today is everything except justice," said Natasha Marjnovic, 44, a Djokovic supporter who was wiping away tears. "They killed a beautiful sportsman and his career and for all of us who love tennis."

In Serbia, people have vented their anger at the treatment of their sporting hero. President Aleksandar Vucic on Friday criticised Australia's government for what he called the "harassing and bullying (of) ... the best tennis player ever."

Vucic said on Sunday he had spoken to the player after the court decision. "I told him we cannot wait to see him," he told reporters. "I told him he is always welcome in Serbia."

The men's tennis governing body ATP said "today's decision to uphold Novak Djokovic's Australian visa cancellation marks the end of a deeply regrettable series of events".

It added in a statement that decisions of legal authorities regarding public health must be respected. 

Tennis Australia said it respected the decision.

On the tennis circuit, fellow players had become impatient for the media circus around Djokovic to end as it had become an unwelcome distraction, casting uncertainty over the draw for the tournament.

But several voiced sympathy for Djokovic following his legal defeat.

"There was a political agenda at play here with the elections coming up which couldn't be more obvious," Vasek Pospisil, a Canadian tennis player, said on Twitter.

"This is not his fault."

Top News / World+Biz

Novak Djokovic / djokovic

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Finance projects export fall, remittance rise
    Finance projects export fall, remittance rise
  • Photo: TBS
    After 72-hour ultimatum, health directorate goes after illegal medical facilities 
  • Photo: Bloomberg
    Direct shipping now to Netherlands 

MOST VIEWED

  • Photo: Reuters
    Vinicius, Courtois help Real edge out Liverpool for 14th European crown
  • 'I am a record man': Ancelotti on record-breaking UCL win
    'I am a record man': Ancelotti on record-breaking UCL win
  • BCB to hold psychology sessions for cricketers
    BCB to hold psychology sessions for cricketers
  • Photo: Uefa
    Liverpool's revenge or Real's resurgence?
  • Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic. Photo: Reuters.
    Djokovic 'holds no grudges' and wants to play in Australia again
  • Photo: Reuters
    Chelsea takeover set to be completed on Monday

Related News

  • Djokovic 'holds no grudges' and wants to play in Australia again
  • Wimbledon's ban on Russians is a mistake says Djokovic
  • French Open draw makes Djokovic the favourite to win it this time
  • Rome champion Djokovic delights in 'sunshine double'
  • Djokovic wins Italian Open to claim first title in over six months

Features

Women voluntarily joined the peaceful procession and protested by wearing clothing of their own choice. Photo: Trishia Nashtaran

The unhealthy obsession with what women wear

5h | Panorama
Illustration: Freepik

Bangladesh is on the verge of destigmatising menstruation

9h | Features
Photo: Collected

The death of Davos?

15h | Panorama
A male Baya Weaver beating wings. Photo: Enam Ul Haque

Baya Weavers weave: ‘Must be witnessed to be fully credited’

19h | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Attorney General's suggestion to reduce case clutter

Attorney General's suggestion to reduce case clutter

9h | Videos
Russian forces take Liman city of Ukraine

Russian forces take Liman city of Ukraine

9h | Videos
JU food prices spike, students suffer

JU food prices spike, students suffer

9h | Videos
5% tax on poultry farmers earning above Tk10 lakh

5% tax on poultry farmers earning above Tk10 lakh

9h | Videos

Most Read

1
Bangladesh Bank GM, DGM’s designation changed
Banking

Bangladesh Bank GM, DGM’s designation changed

2
Corporates go cashless…tax cut on cards
NBR

Corporates go cashless…tax cut on cards

3
Photo: Courtesy
Panorama

Misfit Technologies: A Singaporean startup rooted firmly in Bangladesh

4
British International Investment (BII) CEO Nick O’Donohoe. Illustration: TBS
Economy

BII to invest $450m in Bangladesh in 5 years

5
Representational image. Picture: Pixabay
Economy

Govt raises regulatory duty to discourage imports of 130 products

6
Photo: Collected
Industry

Spanish recycled cotton producer opens new facility in Bangladesh

The Business Standard
Top
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • About Us
  • Bangladesh
  • International
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Economy
  • Sitemap
  • RSS

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net

Copyright © 2022 THE BUSINESS STANDARD All rights reserved. Technical Partner: RSI Lab