An Australian court on Monday overruled a decision by country's border officials who said that Novak Djokovic did not meet the criteria for an exemption to entry requirements.
Novak Djokovic has won the case in the court against his deportation from Australia. The Serbian had spent four nights in an Australian immigration detention hotel. His virtual hearing got under way at around 10 am Australian time in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Earlier, world No. 1 landed in trouble for his stand on the Covid-19 vaccine. His Australia visa was canceled as he failed to comply with the vaccination rules, but after this ruling, Djokovic will be able to participate in the upcoming Australian Open.
In his defense, Djokovic had said that he has "been recently infected with COVID in December 2021 and on this basis... was entitled to a medical exemption in accordance with Australian government rules and guidance".
Last year, he failed to secure the calendar grand slam, and this year, he is back to defend his Australian Open title. If he manages to win this, he will surge ahead of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, both of whom are on 20 grand slams.
Djokovic had earlier said that he will be heading to the 2022 Australian Open after receiving a 'medical exemption'. "I've spent fantastic quality time with my loved ones over the break and today I'm heading Down Under with an exemption permission. Let's go 2022!" the defending Australian Open champion said on Instagram.