Novak Djokovic’s Appeal of Deportation Order Is Heard in Australia
The New York Times
His lawyer argued that the tennis star had met all government requirements before flying to the country to compete in the Australian Open.
SYDNEY, Australia — A lawyer for Novak Djokovic, the Serbian tennis star, argued in an Australian court on Monday that the government had erred in canceling a visa for Djokovic because he had complied with all the government’s requirements even though he has not been vaccinated for Covid-19.
The hearing came five days after Djokovic was detained at an airport after arriving on a flight from Dubai to compete at the Australian Open.
Djokovic landed late Wednesday with a visa and a vaccination exemption to play in the tournament, which begins Jan. 17, but border officials canceled the visa with the support of Prime Minister Scott Morrison. The authorities said that Djokovic did not qualify for an exemption from the requirement that everyone entering the country be fully vaccinated.
