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Novak Djokovic has lost the appeal: he must leave Australia

There are possibilities of appeal, but the times are not such as to allow Novak Djokovic to play the Australian Open. The race is over, the game is over. Judges James Allsop, Anthony Besanko and David O’Callaghan unanimously dismissed the Serbian tennis player’s appeal against the second visa cancellation. Now Nole has to leave the country.

“I’ll take some time to rest and recover before making any further comments beyond that. I am extremely disappointed with the ruling. I hope to play the Australian Open again »said Djokovic who will not be able to win his 21st Grand Slam by detaching Federer and Nadal and will not be able to defend the title he won in Australia last year.

“I respect the Court’s ruling and will collaborate with the competent authorities in relation to my departure from the country. I am sorry that the focus of the last few weeks has been on me and I hope that now we can all focus on the game and the tournament I love. I would like to wish the players, tournament officials, staff, volunteers and fans all the best for this edition. Finally, I would like to thank my family, my friends, my team, the fans and my Serbian team-mates for your continued support. You have all been a great source of strength for me “

The head of the panel of judges James Allsop explained that their job was to assess whether the decision made by the Minister of Immigration Alex Hawke to revoke the player’s visa was illegal, irrational or legally unreasonable. It was not for the court and the reasons brought by Djokovic’s lawyers have not proved it.

The Serbian number one in the world is expected to remain in custody in Melbourne until to expulsion. Usually those expelled from the country cannot return for three years, but there may be exceptions.

The minister had canceled Novak Djokovic’s visa because his presence in Australia could be a risk to health and public order since he is not vaccinated against Covid-19. To play the tennis player had gotten an exemption for having resulted positive on December 16. This was not considered valid at the first border control, then it was validated by a judge and finally the minister stopped. All after controversy, social messages and the discovery of quarantine violations by the tennis player.

Put it all together it is a communication, image and credibility disaster for Novak Djokovic who could also be in trouble. in Serbia and Spain where he was in public when he was positive. For tennis it is also a defeat not to see the world number one on the field (the Italian Salvatore Caruso is rescued in his place). It is not a victory even for Australia which has acted with long times and internal uncertainties. In the end they seem to have lost everyone in this one soap opera that he didn’t want to see anyone.

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