What next for Novak Djokovic after Australian visa cancelled again?
The world number one faces an appeal hearing on Sunday with his first-round match scheduled for the following day.
Novak Djokovic’s battle to compete in the Australian Open has taken another turn after his visa was cancelled for a second time.
After four days of deliberation, Immigration Minister Alex Hawke decided to use his personal powers and reimpose the penalty on the world number one after it was overturned by a judge on Monday.
But the parties have already been back in court and a resolution to this saga will not come until Sunday at the earliest.
Here, the PA news agency answers the key questions regarding the situation and looks at what happens next.
Why has the decision been taken?
What happens now?
What are Djokovic’s chances?
His lawyers are seeking the same outcome as the first hearing but it will be more difficult because the grounds for a successful appeal are much narrower in this case. This hearing will be held in front of a different judge at the Federal Court of Australia.
Could he still play in the Australian Open?
Theoretically yes. His first match against countryman Miomir Kecmanovic has been scheduled for Monday, meaning a successful appeal decided on Sunday would give him enough time. But even Djokovic would surely struggle to get himself in the right physical and mental state to compete at a grand slam given the events of the last week and a half.
What happens if he loses the appeal?
Are there other implications?
Yes. Should Djokovic be deported, he could be banned from entering Australia for three years, although that penalty can be waived.
