The Novaxx Vs. Australia Saga Is Finally Over: Novak Djokovic Has Been Deported

And it’s fitting that this happened on the Holy Day of Sunday because as we all know, Novak Djokovic is the Jesus of our time. Although, Jesus is probably looking down from Heaven like, “That’s a wrong comparison because even I wasn’t crucified this bad!”

The back-and-forth between Novak Djokovic and the Australian government over whether he can stay and play in the Australian Open is finally over. CNN reports that a federal court shit on Novak’s appeal today and upheld the decision to cancel his visa over his COVID-19 vaccination status. Novak could’ve dragged this messiness out even more by appealing to Australia’s top court, but he was running out of time since he was due to play in the Australian Open on Monday night. So he took the loss and left Australia. Surprisingly, he wasn’t carried through the airport on a cross.

In the days leading up to Novak arriving in Australia, Tennis Australia gave him a medical exemption to enter Australia without being vaccinated and without quarantining because he had just recovered from COVID-19 again (he also broke quarantine rules after testing positive). And he was given a visa. But when Novak tried to enter Melbourne on January 5, he was told the same thing I’m told when a Grindr trick sees me in person after I arrive on their front door: Bitch, no! His visa was canceled and he was sent to an immigration detention hotel. But a few days later, a judge reversed the decision to revoke Novak’s visa and ordered him to be released. And a few days after that, Immigration Minister Alex Hawke used the ministerial power to cancel Novak’s visa a second time and he was sent back into detention while waiting for his appeal to be heard. It was heard today and the three-judge panel ruled against Novak and upheld Immigration Minister Hawke’s decision. Chief Justice James Allsop said this in a statement about the court’s decision:

“These grounds focus on whether the decision was for different reasons irrational or legally unreasonable. It is no part of the function of the court to decide upon the merits or wisdom of the decision.”

Personally, I’m waiting to hear what Australian blossom Kath Day-Knight has to say about this, but in the meantime, Immigration Minister Hawke slow clapped for the court’s decision and so did Australia’s PM Scott Morrison, saying this in a statement:

“I welcome the decision to keep our borders strong and keep Australians safe. As I said on Friday, Australians have made many sacrifices during this pandemic, and they rightly expect the result of those sacrifices to be protected. Strong borders are fundamental to the Australian way of life as is the rule of law. It’s now time to get on with the Australian Open and get back to enjoying tennis over the summer.”

And before Novak left Australia for Dubai, he released his own set of words and said he’s going to take some time to rest from the drama he helped create:

“I would like to make a brief statement to address the outcomes of today’s Court hearing. I will now be taking some time to rest and to recuperate, before making any further comments beyond this. I am extremely disappointed with the Court ruling to dismiss my application for judicial review of the Minister’s decision to cancel my visa, which means I cannot stay in Australia and participate in the Australian Open.

I respect the Court’s ruling and I will cooperate with the relevant authorities in relation to my departure from the country. I am uncomfortable that the focus of the past weeks has been on me and I hope that we can all now focus on the game and tournament I love. I would like to wish the players, tournament officials, staff, volunteers and fans all the best for the tournament.

Finally, I would like to thank my family, friends, team, supporters, fans and my fellow Serbians for your continued support. You have all been a great source of strength to me.”

Whether or not Tennis Australia is holding their head in shame over their role in this mess, they made no mention of that in their response to the court’s decision and said that they “respect” it. Use of the ministerial power to cancel a visa comes with a three-year ban from entering Australia, but Novak can fight that.

Salvatore Caruso of Italy will replace Novak in Monday’s Australian Open match against Novak’s fellow Serbian Miomir Kecmanović.

Well, Novak’s not getting another Grand Slam, but I’m sure the likes of Jenny McCarthy have taped a poster of him on their bedroom wall and look at it with anti-vaxx hearts in their eyes. And that makes it all worth it.

Pic: Wenn.com