“I’m extraordinarily dissatisfied with the Court docket ruling,” the tennis star mentioned.
Novak Djokovic has misplaced his struggle to remain in Australia, as three Federal Court docket judges on Sunday upheld the choice to revoke his visa for the second time.
The Serbian tennis star had been ready for the judges to find out whether or not he can be allowed to remain to launch his title-defending bid on the Australian Open on Monday.
“I’m extraordinarily dissatisfied with the Court docket ruling to dismiss my utility for judicial evaluation of the Minister’s choice to cancel my visa, which suggests I can not keep in Australia and take part within the Australian Open,” Djokovic mentioned in a press release. “I respect the Court docket’s ruling and I’ll cooperate with the related authorities in relation to my departure from the nation.”
Djokovic had appealed to reinstate his visa after it was canceled on Friday.
“I welcome the choice to maintain our borders sturdy and hold Australians protected,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison mentioned in a press release on Sunday. “As I mentioned on Friday, Australians have made many sacrifices throughout this pandemic, and so they rightly anticipate the results of these sacrifices to be protected.”
Immigration Minister Alex Hawke, who canceled the visa, additionally mentioned he welcomed the choice.
“Australia’s sturdy border safety insurance policies have stored us protected throughout the pandemic, leading to one of many lowest dying charges, strongest financial recoveries, and highest vaccination charges on the planet,” he mentioned in a press release.
Djokovic had been scheduled to play on Monday, along with his first-round match towards fellow Serb Miomir Kecmanovic for the night session. His place within the draw had been stuffed, The Australian Open said on Twitter.
Each side made their submissions and replies throughout Sunday’s listening to. The talk targeted on Djokovic’s views on vaccination and whether or not these views constituted a public well being menace.
The Djokovic authorized crew argued that Hawke misinterpreted media reviews in regards to the tennis star’s stance on vaccination. Djokovic’s lawyer Nick Wooden mentioned there’s an absence of proof to help the declare that Djokovic’s presence in Australia might stoke anti-vaccination sentiment.
“Not a single line of proof within the materials earlier than the minister supplied any … basis by any means for the proposition of the mere presence of Mr. Djokovic in Australia … could by some means, to make use of the minister’s expression, foster anti-vaccination sentiment,” mentioned Wooden.
The immigration minister’s lawyer, Stephen Lloyd, mentioned there may be clear proof of Djokovic’s views on vaccination and that by staying in Australia it is going to encourage opposition to inoculation. Lloyd mentioned Djokovic has turn into “an icon for anti-vaccination teams.”
“That he is nonetheless unvaccinated displays a selection on his half or stay unvaccinated when he could possibly be vaccinated,” Lloyd mentioned.
