Novak Djokovic: Tennis star detained ahead of deportation appeal

Novak Djokovic has been detained in Australia ahead of a court hearing that will determine whether the tennis star can stay in the country unvaccinated.

The Serbian faces deportation after his visa was cancelled for a second time, with the government labelling the 34-year-old a threat to the public.

His lawyers are appealing against what they called an “irrational” judgement, with the hearing due on Sunday.

Djokovic, however, is still scheduled to play the Australian Open on Monday.

If he were to win the tournament for a tenth time, he would become the most successful men’s tennis player in the history of the sport.

But Sunday’s hearing, which has been scheduled for 09:30 local time (22:30 GMT on Saturday) is crucial if Djokovic is to be able to defend his title just hours later.

If he loses the appeal, the world men’s tennis number one faces deportation and a three-year visa ban.

On Saturday, shortly after an online procedural hearing, Djokovic’s lawyers confirmed that he had been detained by immigration officers in Melbourne.

At the hearing, Justice David O’Callaghan set the time for Sunday’s proceeding but said it was yet to be decided whether it would be heard by a single judge or a full court of three.

Djokovic’s visa was first revoked shortly after his arrival in Melbourne on 6 January, after Australian Border Force officials said he had “failed to provide appropriate evidence” to receive a vaccine exemption.

The tennis star was detained for days at an immigration hotel, before his visa was reinstated by a judge, who ordered his release, ruling that border officials ignored correct procedure when he arrived.