Novak Djokovic ‘completely disagrees’ with reasoning behind Australian deportation
Following his deportation, Novak Djokovic insists he “completely disagrees” with the justifications for his ejection, adding he was “sad and disappointed with how the saga ended.”
20-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic divided the sporting world when he was deported just one day before the Australian Open.
Djokovic’s absence inadvertently allowed Slam rival Rafael Nadal to storm through the ‘Happy Slam’ and beat him to a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title.
As Djokovic fought the cancellation of his visa in court, it was revealed in the legal proceedings that he had not received vaccination against Covid-19.
Whilst his visa was reinstated, Immigration Minister Alex Hawke superseded the court’s ruling and terminated the visa one final time.
However, contrary to popular belief Djokovic’s, deportation was not due to his vaccination status but was instead related to the possibility of him sparking anti-vaccination sentiment.
In a tell-all interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Djokovic separated himself from anti-vaccination movements but announced he “will sacrifice Grand Slams” if mandatory vaccinations are enforced for entry and competition.
Similarly, In the same interview, Djokovic said “I was really sad and disappointed with the way it all ended for me in Australia. It wasn’t easy.
“Absolutely, the visa declaration error was not deliberately made. It was accepted and confirmed by the Federal Court and the minister himself in the Ministry for Immigration in Australia.
“So actually, what people probably don’t know is that I was not deported from Australia on the basis that I was not vaccinated, or I broke any rules or that I made an error in my visa declaration.
“All of that was actually approved and validated by the Federal Court of Australia and the Minister for Immigration.
“The reason why I was deported from Australia was because the Minister for Immigration used his discretion to cancel my visa based on his perception that I might create some anti-vax sentiment in the country or in the city, which I completely disagree with.”
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