An Australian judge says Djokovic may stay, but the story doesn’t end there

Tennis star Novak Djokovic has won a lawsuit to stay in Australia to compete in the Australian Open, although he has not been vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, but the drama may not be complete.

Federal District Court Judge Anthony Kelly returned Djokovic’s visa, which was revoked last week because he was unvaccinated. The referee ordered the government to release the best male player in the world within 30 minutes.

But a government lawyer told the judge that the immigration minister might use his personal power to revoke the visa again. This would mean that Djokovic would have to be deported again.

The Australian government revoked Djokovic’s visa last week shortly after he arrived in Melbourne for the upcoming Australian Open. Authorities said they had decided not to qualify for an exemption from the entry requirement that all non-citizens should be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Djokovic was locked up in an immigrant detention hotel after that decision.

The judge ruled on Monday that Djokovic had provided Melbourne airport officials with a medical exemption gave him Tennis Australia. According to his lawyers, the exemption was granted because Djokovic’s COVID-19 test was positive last month and improved.

Djokovic hopes to defend his title in the Australian Open and win the men’s record in the 21st Grand Slam singles championship. He won three of the four Grand Slam titles in 2021 before Daniil Medvedev was shocked in the U.S. Open final.

Djokovic has directly opposed the COVID-19 vaccine and vaccinations in general. By BBC, in April 2020, Djokovic told fans he “opposes vaccination.” The magazine also reports that he has made questionable scientific claims throughout his career.