Novak Djokovic will be FREE today as the government decides against cancelling his visa!
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Novak Djokovic
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic will finally be able to breathe freely as he wins the court case against the Australian government as the court ruled in favour of the player and ordered the government to release him from the federal quarantine hotel where he was detained since January 6 2022.
The court led by Judge Kelly found the government’s case ‘unreasonable‘ and announced the verdict in favour of Novak thus revoking the border security forces decision to not allow him to enter the country upon his arrival to Melbourne after he was stopped despite having the medical exemption.
While the case was ruled in his favour, doubts loomed over the chances of the player’s visa being cancelled by the Immigration minister Alex Hawke who is in the power of his position to cancel the visa without being liable to give a justification on why the visa was rejected. However, reports have emerged that the minister has decided to act against the use of power.
As reported by Anthony Galloway, Foreign affairs and national security correspondent for Australian newspapers ‘The Age’ and ‘Sydney Morning Herald’, minister Hawke had been granted four hours, after the court announced its verdict sometime around 5:30 PM local time, to make a decision whether he wishes to cancel the Serbian’s visa and it appears that the minister has not made any decision.
Federal sources have also confirmed that the three-year ban from entering into Australia will not be automatic if Novak is deported. The government has the discretion to allow the Serbian back for next year’s Australian Open even if his visa is cancelled this year by the government.
Will Novak Djokovic play the 2022 Australian Open?
The undecisive behaviour of the minister will lead to Novak being free and can join his family and team. However, it should be remembered that the minister can exercise his personal power to cancel Novak’s visa and make the player fly out of the country on the next plane.
One might assume that this decision will come in a few days after proper consulting of the ministers as the leading politicians of the country have been keen on the case and might not rush into the decision as the player had massive support that led to criticism of the government as well.
If minister Hawke makes it final that Djokovic’s visa won’t be cancelled, it will be the green signal for the player to play at the 2022 Australian Open where he will be hunting his 21st Grand Slam title and extend his winning streak to 4 consecutive titles as he is the 3-time defending champion at the Slam this year having won his 3rd consecutive title in 2021 which was his 9th overall title ‘Down Under’.
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Sarthak Shitole
(3462 Articles Published)