And so now he's gone....bye bye Novax

[imastawka]

Novak Djokovic has lost a bid to stay in Australia after the Federal Court upheld the government's decision to cancel the tennis star's visa.

The Federal Court hearing, expedited to take place the day before the Australian Open begins, is the culmination of a weeks-long saga over the Serb's visa.

The men's world number one arrived in Australia just before midnight on January 5, had his visa cancelled by Border Force officials shortly after, then had it reinstated by a Federal Circuit Court judge in a hearing last Monday.

Late on Friday, Immigration Minister Alex Hawke cancelled Djokovic's visa for a second time, citing "health and good order grounds".

Djokovic's lawyer's disputed that decision, taking it to court for judicial review.

The full bench of the federal court this evening ruled against Djokovic.

In the Federal Court today, Djokovic's lawyers accused the minister of producing no evidence to back his claim that Djokovic's presence in Australia would incite anti-vaccination sentiment. They also argued it was irrational, illogical or unreasonable for the minister not to consider that deporting Djokovic could whip up the same sentiment.

Djokovic's lawyer Nick Wood said Mr Hawke had misinterpreted media reports about Djokovic's views on vaccination, and the level of support he receives from anti-vaccination groups.

He was particularly critical of the minister's reliance on a BBC article as evidence Djokovic opposed vaccines. He argued the article was written before vaccines were available, and it actually showed Djokovic had an open mind and did not believe himself to be an expert. He criticised the minister's failure to ask Djokovic himself about his views.

But the minister's legal team argued there was ample evidence of Djokovic's "well-known stance" on vaccination — including the fact he had refused to get vaccinated himself – and that the minister had no obligation to ask Djokovic about his views.

They said Djokovic could not prove the minister had not considered the possibility that deporting him could also stir up anti-vaccination sentiment, and even if he did not consider that outcome, that would not amount to an error on his part.

Federal Court rules on Novak Djokovic's legal fight against visa cancellation (msn.com)

Will they keep him out for the three years?

Personally, I applaud the decision.

[springyzone]

I read that claim of his about a quarantine hotel and I didn't like the way his mother or whoever worded it. They complained it was terrible, terrible food, he was locked up and horror of horros, they said it was a hotel where refugees were housed.

The implication was that sharing a hotel with refugees was not acceptable. There's been that creeping undertone of what I would call racism all through, because later on his supporters have claimed he was sent back because he is Serbian and Australians don't like Serbians.

Australians couldn't care less about someone being Serbian. About the only group I know of that might have it in for Serbians are Croatians and not even all of them.

There's been that effort to deflect the blame onto Australia and leave Novak teflon coated.

My son worked at a quarantine hotel for a few weeks just before Christmas. Admittedly it was not Novak's one, it wasn't an international one, it was one for people who sought quarantine there as they were not able to do it properly at home.

My son is a clean and tidy person and I never heard that the hotel was under par or anything. I am sure if there were fleas and maggots everywhere he would have said. Surely all the hotels would be a somewhat similar standard or run along similar lines?

[janeababe]

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@domino-710 wrote:

Mum forgot the bedbugs. 😮

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…and don’t forget the kangaroos. Those damn kangaroos are everywhere,  selling drugs on every corner and stealing tennis rackets! 😉

[imastawka]

Another one who thinks the rules don't apply to them -

Anti-vax surfing legend locked out of Australia (msn.com)

[padi*0409]

Entitled much Stawks...............?   Poor baby................

[sandypebbles]

Such an awful place but he still throws a tantum over not being allowed in

Poor baby indeed

Spoiler

And lucky shark to escape eating it

[imastawka]

I'm laughin'    It just gets better

....."Legislation will soon be passed by the French Government prohibiting non-vaccinated athletes from competing in any sporting event,″⁣ .....

.....More immediately, Djokovic could find it difficult to enter the United Arab Emirates to play the Dubai Open, a tournament he has won five times, and cross the US border to play in the brief but lucrative spring hard court season.......

....Djokovic's most important battles lie ahead, at Indian Wells, Roland Garros and Flushing Meadows, not in the cramped confines of the Park Hotel. He came here with what he believed was a valid medical exemption but no one has argued, not even Djokovic, that his recent bout of COVID was the reason he hadn't got the jab.....

Australia finds unlikely ally in Djokovic stoush (msn.com)

[sandypebbles]

Sucks to be NoVaxx

Spoiler

Oh sorry, that's right. We are suppose to be nice to the poor little non prick and concede he now has 'natural immunity' 

Only natural for there to be balls in tennis, I suppose 

[imastawka]

I really think the time has come for him to decide on whether he wants to have a tennis career or not.

Too many countries are locking him out if he won't get jabbed.

[not_for_sale2025]

The guy needs one more major to go past Federer and Nadal. He either feels very strongly about vaccinations, believes he is mightier than thou, or is an idiot. Take your pick.

[ambercat16]

Or..........has figured out that if he "can't play" he will always be the one who "could  have beaten their record but was unfairly cheated out of it"