(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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