The leader of the tennis world rankings will probably have to leave Australia for good a week after his arrival.

The number one seeded Novak Djokovic will therefore not be able to defend his title at the Australian Open in Melbourne.

After a growing body of inconsistencies about the star's behavior, Australian Immigration Secretary Alex Hawke ruled on Friday afternoon local time that Djokovic would be deported immediately.

However, it remains questionable whether this will actually happen in the end.

Because the Djokovic side doesn't want to accept the decision so easily.

Christopher Hein

Business correspondent for South Asia/Pacific based in Singapore.

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"Today I have exercised my authority and revoked Mr. Novak Djokovic's visa for reasons of health and good order, as this is in the public interest," Hawke said after a review that spanned six days. Referring to the government under Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the wave of omicron infections in Australia, Hawke added: "The Morrison government is determined to protect Australia's borders, especially in connection with the corona pandemic." rumors in Canberra that the government is preparing for the deportation of the tennis multi-millionaire at all levels, including increased police presence in Melbourne.

The player Renata Voráčová, who was expelled on Saturday, had already filed claims for damages against Tennis Australia on Wednesday.

Djokovic's highly paid legal team now wants to obtain a cease-and-desist declaration against the ministerial decision.

A court would have to examine it.

A deadline of 5:00 p.m. local time (7:00 a.m. CET) on Saturday has been set for the submission of relevant documents.

But it should be faster.

This was announced by his lawyer Nicholas Wood at a court hearing in Melbourne.

The Djokovic side wants to submit the application later in the evening so as not to lose any time.

"Every minute before Monday's tournament starts is precious," Wood said at the hearing before Justice Anthony Kelly.

Djokovic trains in Melbourne

In Canberra it was said that night, unlike others in his situation, the tennis star would not have to go back to the deportation center, where refugees have been waiting for years for years, despite the ministerial decision. He would be allowed to stay in his place overnight and Home Secretary officials would speak to him on Saturday morning. Shortly after Minister Hawke announced his decision, Prime Minister Morrison spoke of "continuing legal disputes" that he expected.

The lawyers are probably referring, among other things, to the question of equal treatment: in the meantime, four members of the tennis circus, who have left the country again, were allowed into the country unmolested with the same special permit days before Djokovic - but why not Djokovic of all people anymore? Of course, the majority of lawyers do not give the Djokovic team a chance. Nevertheless, it could mean that the star, if he doesn't finally give in of his own accord, will stay in the country during the Melbourne Open, which begins on Monday. On Friday, however, most considered it very unlikely that he would be allowed on the pitch after Hawke described it as “in the public interest” that he had to fly out.

Djokovic's lawyer Wood said the minister's decision was "irrational" and disproportionate.

At the same time, he criticized the fact that Hawke had waited until Friday after 6 p.m. local time to make his decision, thus putting Djokovic in a difficult situation.