The court ruled that the visa was valid and Djokovic began training

On January 10, the Australian Federal Court held a hearing and ruled that Serbian tennis superstar Djokovic's visa was valid. Djokovic then left the Australian Immigration Authority's Lien Hotel to begin preparations for the upcoming 2022 Australian Open (hereinafter referred to as the "Australian Open") on the 17th.

Djokovic at the Tokyo Olympics

From landing in Melbourne on the night of January 5 until the Federal Court ruled, Djokovic, who won nine Australian Open men's singles titles, spent his toughest days and nights in Australia. Since the Australian government requires non-citizens to be vaccinated against COVID-19 before entering the country, the country's immigration administration, when reviewing Djokovic's visa, considered him to be in doubt about the "medical exemption" to justify the visa, so it asked him to leave the country on the 6th. Djokovic's lawyers quickly stepped in and secured a hearing in the federal court on January 10 on whether the visa should be cancelled, so that Djokovic could remain in Australia but only in selected hotels.

During this time, supporters and opponents debated whether Djokovic's visa should be cancelled, and even attracted direct intervention from the two governments. But the key evidence was eventually disclosed by Djokovic's lawyers, who said that the Serbian superstar had contracted the new crown virus in December last year, so Djokovic's "medical exemption" was established under the Australian health department's "infection with new crown pneumonia within 6 months and can not be vaccinated". In fact, the Australian Federal Court eventually recognized the validity of Djokovic's visa on this basis. However, this evidence has drawn a new round of criticism of Djokovic, who has been in close contact with fans after he contracted COVID-19 in December, according to photos posted by Djokovic himself on social media.

But in any case, Djokovic was able to enter Australia to prepare for the Australian Open, and he also posted a photo on the Rodrawall stadium, writing: "The judge overturned the decision to cancel my visa, and I am very happy and grateful." Despite all that has happened, I'm here to play at the Australian Open and I'm focused on that and hopefully I can play exciting tennis in front of the fans. ”

Source Beijing Daily Client | Reporter Li Yuanfei

Edited by Li Yuanfei

Process Editor Liu Weili