Djokovic hearing begins after cancellation of visa
After four nights in an Australian immigration detention hotel, Novak Djokovic got his day in court Monday in a deportation case that has polarized opinions and elicited heartfelt support for the top-ranked tennis player in his native Serbia.
Djokovic had his visa canceled after arriving at Melbourne airport last week when Australian border officials ruled that he didn’t meet the criteria for an exemption to an entry requirement that all non-citizens be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.
His lawyers have since filed court papers in his challenge against deportation from Australia that show Djokovic tested positive for COVID-19 last month and recovered. He used that as grounds in applying for a medical exemption to Australia’s strict vaccination rules.
The hearing appealing the visa cancellation began in Melbourne on Monday in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
On Sunday, Australian media reported that a federal government bid for extra time to prepare its case against Djokovic was denied. The application, made on behalf of Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews during the weekend, sought to adjourn the final hearing by two days — just five days from the start of the Australian Open.
Federal Circuit Court Judge Anthony Kelly refused the application and the case resumed Monday as planned.
Djokovic’s lawyers filed 35 pages of submissions in which they outlined 11 grounds of appeal. They described the decision to cancel the visa as illogical and unreasonable.
Government lawyers were to argue for his deportation.
In Serbia on Saturday, Djokovic’s family held a rally in support of him in Belgrade for the third successive day, and Prime Minister Ana Brnabic assured him of her government’s support over his visa fight.
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