Australian court upholds state decision to cancel Djokovic's visa

Melbourne: Australian court on Thursday rejected Tennis player Novac Djokovic's challenge against the Australian administration cancelling his visa, The Guardian reported.

The Chief Justice had upheld the Australian immigration minister's argument that Djokovic's presence in the country could cause civil unrest leading to community transmission of the pandemic.

The Australian immigration minister had claimed that Djokovic is against vaccination, and his presents could trigger civil unrest. But Djokovic's counsel disputed the claims.

The court said that as same as what the minister said, Djokovic had a view against vaccination. He had opposed vaccination, the court said, citing an April 2020 news article in which Djokovic had said that he was opposed to vaccination, nevertheless, he had added then that he is no expert and has an open mind on the matter.

The court noted that as of January 2022, the player has not been vaccinated either and observed that he opposes vaccines or did not wish to get vaccinated. He has the support of some anti-vaccination groups, and thus, there is material for the minister to have concerns of uprisal or rallies in the country, leading to community transmission. People who are not certain whether to get vaccinated might get influenced not to do it when a renowned tennis star chooses not to, it said.

Court noted said he had paid no importance in covid appropriate practices as he attended activities abroad without wearing a mask while he was tested positive.

The ace tennis player Djokovic was put under immigration detention on January 6. His visa was cancelled but later restored by an Australian federal court. But the state immigration minister used his own power to cancel it again. The court judgement resulted in the player's deportation a day before he opened his games of the Australian Open.