By Emmanuel Okogba

Novak Djokovic will leave Australia on Sunday after losing an appeal to overturn his second visa cancellation. Judges upheld the Australian government’s decision to kick the world number one out of the country following his stance on Covid-19 vaccine and being unvaccinated. 

Three Federal Court judges upheld a decision made on Friday by the immigration minister to cancel the 34-year-old Serb’s visa on public interest grounds.

Reports on Saturday suggested that the new visa cancellation was an attempt to make sure anti-vaxxers don’t get to feel some measure of victory in their resistance to getting the jab which pro-vaxxers believe has in a way contributed to the continued spread of the virus across the world with new variants. 

The Serbian was supposed to participate in the Australian Open that commences on Monday as he aimed to win a record 21st Grand Slam.

The deportation could mean that Djokovic faces a three-year ban from getting a visa for the country, but this can be waived.

Djokovic first had his visa cancelled on January 6 after he failed to provide appropriate evidence to receiving a vaccine exemption.

He was then kept in an immigration hotel as he appealed to have his visa reinstated – he won that appeal and it was looking like he was going to be able to play at this year’s Australian Open before the new cancellation of his visa on Friday.

Fellow Tennis star, Rafael Nadal weighed in on the controversy saying that no player is bigger than the Australian Open and that whatever was the outcome of Djokovic’s appeal the competition will go on. 

As per Sky Sports, The full reasons behind the court’s unanimous ruling will be published in the “coming days”.

There was the possibility of a further legal challenge but it was confirmed half an hour after the ruling that Djokovic was not seeking that option.

The player and his team arrived at Melbourne Airport for their flight home on Sunday evening local time.

“I am extremely disappointed with the ruling to dismiss my application for judicial review of the minister’s decision to cancel my visa, which means I cannot stay in Australia and participate in the Australian Open,” Djokovic told Australia’s Age newspaper after the ruling.

“I respect the court’s ruling and I’ll cooperate with the relevant authorities in relation to my departure from the country.

“I am uncomfortable that the focus of the past weeks has been on me and I hope that we can all now focus on the game and tournament I love. I would like to wish the players, tournament officials, staff, volunteers and fans all the best for the tournament.

“Finally, I would like to thank my family, friends, team, supporters, fans and my fellow Serbians for your continued support. You have all been a great source of strength to me.”

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