Djokovic beats Australian government in court as judge overturns visa cancellation order

Tennis star Novak Djokovic has won a court battle challenging the cancellation of his Australian visa, in a case that has drawn global attention.

The judge Anthony Kelly agreed with Djokovic’s lawyers who argued that border officials failed to give valid notice of the intention to cancel the visa.

The court has ruled that Novak Djokovic will be released, after the judge found unreasonableness in how the border official made his decision cancelling the visa.

Judge Kelly ruled that Djokovic’s visa cancellation order is “quashed” immediately, which means his visa is now valid and he can enter Australia.

But the saga may not be over just yet as Australia’s immigration minister is considering using his power to re-cancel the visa.

The government insists that Djokovic’s recent Covid infection does not make him eligible for an exemption from entry rules.

The world number one was dramatically denied entry at Melbourne airport on Wednesday and sent to a notorious immigration detention hotel.

Serbia’s government reacted with outrage to the incident, saying the tennis player was being unfairly targeted.

The Australian Open begins on 17 January and if Djokovic wins, he will become the most successful men’s player in history.

But it’s not yet certain that Djokovic will play at the event.

The government’s lawyers have warned that Australia’s immigration minister has the executive power to overturn the court’s decision.

If that happens, the judge warned that Djokovic won’t be able to return to Australia for three years.