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Djokovic wins Australia visa case, judge orders his release

Cancellation of his visa on Covid-19 health overturned

10 January, 10:28
(ANSA-AFP) - MELBOURNE, JAN 10 - World number one Novak Djokovic won a stunning victory Monday over the Australian government, overturning the cancellation of his visa on Covid-19 health grounds, and ending his detention. It was an extraordinary setback for the government, which has imposed strict restrictions on its borders for the past two years to stop the spread of the coronavirus. In an emergency online court hearing, the judge ordered that the decision to cancel Djokovic's visa "be quashed". The judge ordered that the unvaccinated tennis superstar "be released immediately and forthwith from immigration detention". "Such release must occur no later than 30 minutes after the making of this order," he added. Australian taxpayers will be asked to pay costs for Djokovic's high-powered legal team. "Novak, Novak, Novak," chanted dozens of fans of the nine-time Australian Open champion as they marched in celebration, drums banging, outside Melbourne's federal courthouse. The 34-year-old Djokovic had arrived in Melbourne last Wednesday ahead of the Australian Open, which starts in just one week, hoping to win a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title. (ANSA-AFP).

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