'Vaccine Refuser' Djokovic Loses Visa Lawsuit... Ultimately Barred from Australian Open Participation

On the 14th (local time) in Melbourne, Australia, tennis star Novak Djokovic (Serbia) was practicing ahead of the Australian Open, which opens on the 17th. On the same day, Alex Hawke, Australian Minister for Immigration, exercised his authority to cancel Djokovic's entry visa. Djokovic entered Australia on the 5th to participate in the Australian Open, but when the Australian government canceled his entry visa due to his unvaccinated status against COVID-19, he filed an appeal lawsuit and won on the 10th. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Tae-min Ryu] Novak Djokovic (35, Serbia), the world No. 1 male tennis player, has lost a visa lawsuit against the Australian government. As a result, Djokovic will be unable to participate in the Australian Open, which opens on the evening of the 17th (local time).

The High Court of Australia dismissed Djokovic's appeal against the cancellation of his visa by the Australian Department of Home Affairs. Having lost the second trial, Djokovic is expected to be detained at this hotel until the morning of the 17th and then deported. Djokovic was scheduled to participate in the Australian Open starting on the 17th as the top seed, but on the afternoon of the 14th, Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke canceled his visa for the second time, and on the morning of the 15th, he was moved to immigration detention facilities and re-detained.

If the Australian Immigration Minister decides to cancel a visa, entry is prohibited for the next three years. This is expected to be an obstacle to Djokovic's major tournament winning career, having won 9 out of his 20 major titles at the Australian Open.

Djokovic revealed that he tested positive for COVID-19 twice, including on December 16 last year, but has refused to get vaccinated. Although the Australian government has clearly stated since early last year that only vaccinated individuals are allowed entry, he has not changed his stance. It is known that about 97% of professional tennis players have been vaccinated to date.

Djokovic, who was detained immediately after his visa was canceled upon arrival at Melbourne International Airport on the night of the 5th, was released after the court accepted his appeal against the first visa cancellation on the grounds that "procedural fairness was violated." However, the Immigration Minister made a second visa cancellation decision, stating that Djokovic "threatens the health and well-being of Australian society," and Djokovic was unable to overturn this decision in court.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.