Australian Minister for Immigration Affairs Alex Hawke has revoked Novak Djokovic's visa for a second time, despite the tennis star having already been drawn for the first round of the Australian Open.
"Today I exercised my power under section 133C(3) of the Migration Act to cancel the visa held by Mr Novak Djokovic on health and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so", Hawke stated.
It means the Serbian player is now facing deportation, however, Djokovic's lawyers are expected to appeal the decision in the Federal Circuit and Family Court.
Australian PM Scott Morrison also addressed the move, making an official statement on the revocation.
The defending Australian Open champion was detained at Melbourne Airport earlier this month, as he arrived to participate in the tournament because he had not been vaccinated. While the Victoria state government and Tennis Australia originally approved his exemption, allowing him to get the visa, the Australian Border Force rejected the exemption and detained the Serbian player.
Djokovic's visa status was also jeopardised due to an inconsistency in his travel history: according to the player, his agent made an error, failing to mention Djokovic had travelled to another country over the two-week period before travelling to Australia.
The Australian Open kicks off on 17 January, and Djokovic was expected to play in the first round against fellow Serb Miomir Kecmanovic - but now, his participation is an issue.