UPDATE WITH MORE DETAILS, CHANGED HEADLINE, DECK AND LEAD
By Recep Sakar
MELBOURNE (AA) - World no. 1 in men's tennis Novak Djokovic could be deported from Australia for three years despite claiming his visa appeal court case.
Christopher Tan, a lawyer acting for the government said that the Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke could use his personal power under the Migration Act to yet again revoke Djokovic's right to remain in the country.
Djokovic on Monday won a court battle against the Australian government which had canceled his visa ahead of the 2022 Australian Open.
A hearing was held at the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia which quashed the visa cancelation order.
On Jan. 4, Djokovic had announced that he was granted a medical exemption from being vaccinated for COVID-19.
However, after he landed at Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport, the Australian Border Force quizzed him and cancelled his visa.
"The ABF can confirm that Mr. Djokovic failed to provide appropriate evidence to meet the entry requirements to Australia, and his visa has been subsequently canceled," the Australian Border Force previously said in a statement.
"Non-citizens who do not hold a valid visa on entry or who have had their visa canceled will be detained and removed from Australia," it added.
Then Djokovic was sent to an immigration detention hotel in Melbourne after which he appealed to the federal court.
Australia mandates all players to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to compete in this year's first major tennis tournament.
The 2022 Australian Open – the first Grand Slam of the year – will be held between Jan. 17-30 in Melbourne.