Izuchukwu Okosi
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Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has left the door open for Novak Djokovic to compete at next year’s Australian Open despite the Serb facing an automatic three-year ban from entering the country after having his visa application cancelled.
Novak Djokovic has been deported from Australia after losing a last-ditch court bid to stay in the country.
Judges in the country rejected a challenge by the unvaccinated tennis star after the government cancelled his visa on “health and good order” grounds.
Djokovic said he was “extremely disappointed” but accepted the ruling. He has left on a flight to Dubai.
It marks the end of a 10-day saga, in which the Serb fought to stay to defend his title in the Australian Open.
Novak Djokovic had his visa to enter Australia cancelled for a second time for the tournament that has begun on Monday in Melbourne. The Serb is level on 20 Grand Slam titles with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Under immigration law, Djokovic cannot be granted another visa for three years unless Australia’s immigration minister accepts there are compelling or compassionate reasons.
“[The ban] does go over a three-year period, but there is the opportunity for them to return in the right circumstances and that would be considered at the time,” Scott Morrison said in an interview on Monday.
Djokovic had been scheduled to play later in the day – but his dramatic deportation just hours before ended his hopes of winning a record 21st Grand Slam title at the event.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
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