Novak Djokovic facing deportation after visa cancelled for the second time

The tennis ace has been served with another volley.

Novak Djokovic is facing deportation following the cancellation of his Australian visa for a second time. Alex Hawke, the Australian Minister for Immigration, has officially cancelled the visa "on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so". As a result, the 34-year-old tennis ace will no longer be able to defend his Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. "Today I exercised my power under Section 133C (3) of the Migration Act to cancel the visa held by Mr Novak Djokovic on health and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so," noted a statement from Minister Hawke, released on Friday morning (14 January). "This decision followed orders by the Federal Circuit and Family Court on 10 January, 2022, quashing a prior cancellation decision on procedural fairness grounds." Hawke noted that he "carefully considered" information put forward by the Department of Home Affairs, the Australian Border Force and by Djokovic himself. "The Morrison Government is firmly committed to protecting Australia's borders, particularly in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic," Hawke added. "I thank the officers of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Australian Border Force who work every day to serve Australia's interests in increasingly challenging operational environments." Djokovic arrived in the country on Wednesday, 5 January, having received an exemption from entry rules on the basis that he had recently recovered from Covid-19. Following intervention from the Australian Border Force, the world number one was detained and informed that his visa had been cancelled. Djokovic challenged the move and managed to overturn the decision but the latest rally effectively serves as a deportation order for the outspoken athlete. The Australian Open is due to begin on Monday, with or without his involvement.