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Novak Djokovic’s appeal against his visa cancellation in Australia has been adjourned until Monday, with the Serb to remain in Melbourne quarantine until then.
In the early hours of Thursday morning in Australia, Djokovic was denied entry into the country after his visa was cancelled by border force officials at Melbourne airport.
The 34-year-old challenged the Australian Border Force’s refusal to allow him a visa to enter the country and his appeal has now been adjourned until 10am on Monday in Melbourne, court officials confirmed.
After Australia’s Border Force confirmed Djokovic’s visa had been revoked, the Serb’s injunction request against the visa cancellation was initially listed for hearing at 4pm (0500 GMT) in the Federal Circuit and Family Court, according to court documents.
The hearing was later adjourned until 6pm (0700 GMT), and now until 10am on Monday (2300 Sunday GMT).
The record nine-time Australia Open champion has been told by the Federal Court of Australia that he can remain in Melbourne until his appeal resumes.
On Tuesday, the world No 1 announced he was travelling to Australia on an “exemption permission”, but after landing in Melbourne on Wednesday evening he was held in isolation after reportedly attempting to enter the country on a visa that does not permit medical exemptions for being unvaccinated against Covid-19.
After being held for several hours in the airport, during which he was placed in isolation in a police-guarded room, the Serb’s visa was cancelled in Australia.
An Australian Border Force statement read: “The ABF can confirm that Mr Djokovic failed to provide appropriate evidence to meet the entry requirements to Australia, and his visa has been subsequently cancelled.
“Non-citizens who do not hold a valid visa on entry or who have had their visa cancelled will be detained and removed from Australia.
“The ABF can confirm Mr Djokovic had access to his phone.”
Shortly after the announcement, Australian PM Scott Morrison re-iterated that nobody was above the country’s border rules.
“Mr Djokovic’s visa has been cancelled. Rules are rules, especially when it comes to borders. No one is above these rules,” he said in a tweet.
“Our strong border policies have been critical to Australia having one of the lowest death rates in the world from COVID, we are continuing to be vigilant.”
On Wednesday, Morrison had said Djokovic would be “on the next plane home” if his evidence for a Covid-19 vaccination exemption to play at the Australian Open was not satisfactory.
Greg Hunt, Australia’s Minister for Health, made it clear that if Djokovic wished to try and stay in the country, he would need to follow the appropriate processes.
“It’s a matter for him as to whether he wishes to appeal that,” Hunt said in a statement. “But, if a visa is cancelled then somebody will have to leave the country.”
Vincent Paul
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