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Novak Djokovic wins court case, cleared to play Australian Open

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Sam Abraham
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Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic

Much to everyone's delight, reigning champion Novak Djokovic will now be a part of the Australian Open 2022 after the Federal Circuit Court quashed the decision to cancel his visa on Monday. According to BBC, the court decided to release the World number one, after it found unreasonableness in how the border official made a decision in terms of cancelling the visa.

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The Serbian star had challenged the decision after landing in Australia while stating that he had received an exemption from the Covid-19 vaccination. Judge Anthony Kelly cleared the iconic player and ordered that his passport and other travel documents must be returned to him. This means, Djokovic will now have a chance to win a record 21st Grand Slam title.

For those who aren't aware, the 34-year-old's visa was canceled by the Australian government shortly after his arrival in Melbourne late Wednesday. The officials decided that Djokovic did not meet the criteria for an exemption to an entry requirement that all non-citizens be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Djokovic has been held in an immigration detention hotel since Thursday. He hasn't been seen making an appearance in public since then but was allowed to attend his lawyers' chambers for the virtual hearings.

If Djokovic's court documents are to be believed, he is unvaccinated. However, he argued on the point that he did not need proof of vaccination as he was infected with the coronavirus last month.

To talk about his incredible tally of Grand Slams, Djokovic has won the Australian Open on nine previous occasions. He has also conquered the French Open two times, the US Open three times and the Wimbledon six times.