World number one tennis player Novak Djokovic has won an appeal against a decision to refuse him a visa to enter Australia.

Djokovic had his visa application cancelled last week, and was at risk of being deported ahead of the Australian Open.

He appealed to the Federal Court of Australia and was granted permission to remain in Melbourne until the appeal had been heard.

Djokovic wins appeal against Australia entry ban

Judge Anthony Kelly has quashed the visa cancellation and ordered the Australian Government to pay legal costs and release Djokovic from detention within half an hour.

Hereford Times: (PA)(PA)

Government counsel Christopher Tran notified the court that the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs – not the minister who made the original visa cancellation – will now consider whether to exercise a personal power of cancellation of Djokovic’s visa.

Why was Djokovic refused entry to Australia?

The world number one has not publicly confirmed whether he has been vaccinated or not, but last year said he was opposed. All foreign visitors to Australia must be double-vaccinated or quarantine for a 14-day period. After arriving in Melbourne, Djokovic was held for several hours before the Australian Border Force announced he had not met entry rules.

Why did Djokovic travel to Australia then?

Djokovic announced on Tuesday that he had received a medical exemption from Covid-19 vaccination rules to defend his men’s singles title. Tournament organisers, Tennis Australia, confirmed he had a legitimate vaccine exemption in order to compete and this was endorsed by the Victoria state government.

What happened between then and him arriving in Melbourne?

Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison initially appeared to accept the exemption, but completed a U-turn on Wednesday, saying that if Djokovic failed to provide sufficient evidence in support of his medical exemption application he would not be allowed entry.