Australia cancels Djokovic’s visa

Australia has revoked tennis star Novak Djokovic's visa for a second time in a row over his right to remain in the country unvaccinated.

The decision on "health and good order" grounds means he could be deported and get a three-year visa ban, reports BBC.

Djokovic's lawyers have called the decision "patently irrational" and say they will appeal.

The men's tennis number one is scheduled to play in the Australian Open, which begins on Monday.

"Today I exercised my power... to cancel the visa held by Novak Djokovic on health and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so," Immigration Minister Alex Hawke said in a statement.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that the decision followed "careful consideration."

At an emergency late-night court hearing shortly after the decision was announced on Friday, the Australian government's lawyer indicated Djokovic would not be deported until his appeal had run its course.

However, the government also indicated that the authorities plan to detain him after he meets immigration officials in Melbourne on Saturday morning.

Djokovic's legal team called the minister's decision to cancel the visa "patently irrational".

Citing a government document with more details on why it was revoked, Djokovic's lawyer, Nicholas Wood, said it was not because he is a danger to the public, but because "he will excite anti-vax sentiment".

The nine-time Australian Open winner was hoping to defend his title next week, which if he won, would make him the most successful male tennis player in history with a record 21 Grand Slam titles.

For the moment, Djokovic remains in the Australian Open draw and is due to face fellow Serb Miomir Kecmanovic early next week. If he is deported, however, his slot will most likely go to Russian player Andrey Rublev.

Djokovic's visa was first revoked shortly after his arrival in Melbourne on 6 January, after Australian border Force officials said he had "failed to provide appropriate evidence" to receive a vaccine exemption.

Djokovic was detained for hours at the airport's immigration control when he first arrived, and then spent days at an immigration hotel. Days later his visa was reinstated by a judge, who ordered his release, ruling that border officials ignored correct procedure when he arrived.

But on Friday evening in Melbourne, Hawke cancelled Djokovic's visa under separate powers in Australia's Migration Act.

The act allows him to deport anyone he deems a potential risk to "the health, safety or good order of the Australian community", however Djokovic can still appeal this.

It comes after Djokovic addressed allegations that his agent had accidentally made a false declaration on his travel form. Djokovic also admitted meeting a journalist and having a photoshoot after testing positive for Covid-19.