The tennis player Novak Djokovic lost his last judicial attempt to stay in Australia and was deported this Sunday from the country. The tennis player arrived in Belgrade on Monday.
Three judges of the Federal Court of Australia unanimously dismissed his appeal and his defense that the authorities’ arguments to deport him were “invalid and illogical”, and they gave the reason to the Australian government to cancel the Serbian’s visa for the second time.
The athlete from 34 years had entered the 6 January to the country without being vaccinated and the government argued that it represented a threat to public health.
The measure leaves him without playing the Australian Open, which begins this Monday, and without being able to win his title number of Grand Slam, a record to beat whose only challenger is now the Spaniard Rafael Nadal.
And of According to immigration laws, when deported, you will not be able to apply for a visa in three years s and as a consequence, to compete in the country during that period. Although Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Monday that could be allowed to enter the country “under the right circumstances”.
Another tournament whose doors are closed if you do not get vaccinated is Roland Garros, which will take place from 34 from May to June 5.
The French government, which days ago had indicated that Djokovic could participate in the competition even if he was not, rectified on Sunday night and warned that all tennis players must have the complete vaccination schedule, as the public and the professionals involved will be required.
The rectification came from the hand of the Minister of Sports Roxana Maracineanu hours after the Parliament adopt the draft hey that will impose a vaccination certificate for many social activities, including sports.
“Extremely disappointed”
Djokovic has said he is “extremely disappointed” but respects the Australian court’s decision, taken on the eve of their first match.
“I will cooperate with the authorities for my departure from the country”, he had said in a statement on Sunday.
The judges said they will explain their reasoning at a later date.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison applauded “the decision to keep our borders strong and keep insurance to Australians“.
“Australians have made many sacrifices during this pandemic and they rightly expect the result of those sacrifices to be protected,” said the politician.
A party group The Serbian tennis player’s darios waiting outside the courtroom fell silent when the decision to deport him was announced. One of them told the BBC that his summer would be “empty” without the tennis player from 22 Years competing in Melbourne.
Djokovic brought the court case after Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke used his ministerial powers to cancel his visa, arguing that the athlete’s presence in the country could stoke anti-vaccine sentiment.
It was the second time that his visa was revoked, after another judge annulled a first cancellation for not complying with the rules of entry into the country established with the pandemic.
“Nobody is above the law”
The decision of Sunday Mar ca the end of a controversial plot of 10 days on Djokovic’s Australian visa.
- Why Novak Djokovic, the number one tennis player in the world, is a figure so polarizing
There has been a lot of public commotion in Australia over the player’s attempt to enter the country without getting vaccinated against covid.
The federal government has repeatedly said that people must comply with the strict laws in force to deal with the pandemic and that “no one is above the law”.
Djokovic, who is currently the number one tennis player in the world, originally received a medical exemption to enter Australia for two panels independent health providers: one managed by Tennis Australia, the other by the state government of Victoria.
The reason for that exemption, according to his lawyers, was that he had tested positive for coronavirus in mid-December.
However, he was detained by the Australian Border Force on 5 December January for failing to meet federal coronavirus requirements.
A judge later overturned that decision, but the government stepped in last Friday to revoke the visa again, saying doing so was of public interest.
A political battle
Despite the fact that Djokovic is not vaccinated against covid-19, has not actively promoted misinformation against vaccines.
However, Australian anti-vaccines have been using the hashtag #IStandWithDjokovic (I support Djokovic) on social networks.
The legal battle for Djokovic’s visa has also become a political dispute in the country.
In his statement on Sunday, Morrison said the government was “prepared to take the necessary decisions and actions to protect the integrity of our borders”.
On the other hand, Australian opponent Kristina Keneally said that Morrison had become a “laughing stock ” in mishandling Djokovic’s case, and questioned why the unvaccinated player was granted a visa in the first place.
Morrison and his government also faced negative comments from the Serbian President, Aleksandar Vucic.
“He arrived in Australia on a medical exemption and was then treated poorly for 10 days. Why did they do it? Why did they do such a witch hunt against him? This is something that nobody can understand”, said the Serbian politician.
The tennis star Briton Andy Murray, who has known Djokovic since they were children and has competed against him for the sport’s biggest prizes, said the situation was “not good” for anyone.
“It seems that this all happened at the last moment and that’s why it became a disaster,” Murray told the BBC.
In his statement on Sunday, Djokovic said he was “uncomfortable” with the attention placed on him by the visa revocation.
“I hope now we can all focus on the game and the tournament that I love,” he said.
The Italian Salvatore Caruso, who occupies the position 150 in the world ranking, will replace Djokovic in his match against the Serb Miomir Kecmanovic this Monday.
Remember that you can receive notifications from BBC Mundo. Download the new version of our app and activate it so you don’t miss our best content.
- Do you already know our YouTube channel? Subscribe!