Melbourne (CNN)Novak Djokovic was arrested by Australian border authorities on Saturday morning under a court order issued on Friday.
Djokovic, the world’s top men’s tennis player, has had his visa revoked twice by immigration officials for not being vaccinated against Covid-19.
The tennis star was interviewed by the Australian Border Force at 8am local time (4pm ET Friday) on Saturday. It was agreed between both parties should the location remain “unknown” to the public, to protect the tennis star and avoid a “media circus”.
Djokovic is expected to spend Saturday night in custody while his case is debated in Australia’s federal court.
At the first hearing on Saturday, Judge David O’Callaghan, who is presiding over the case, said the court would hold detailed hearings on Sunday.
If Djokovic’s appeal is successful, that schedule would allow him to take part in the Australian Open draw on Monday.
However, the tournament was largely overshadowed by the high-profile off-court saga, which pitted one of tennis’ biggest stars against the Australian government and public health officials.
Djokovic’s visa was revoked for a second time on Friday by Alex Hawke, Australia’s Immigration Minister, but the government has agreed not to deport Djokovic over the weekend before his case is resolved.
Djokovic’s lawyer, Nicholas Wood, told the court that the Immigration Secretary used his personal powers to have the 34-year-old’s visa annulled, on the grounds that it would “raise anti-vax sentiments” should he go to Australia remain, and described it as a “radically different approach,” argues the government.
“The underlying new rationale is not a direct risk to others, but that Mr Djokovic will stir anti-vax sentiment in Australia, particularly Melbourne, by his presence. That is the point. A radically different approach,” Wood said.
Current Australian law requires all international arrivals to be vaccinated against Covid-19 – which Djokovic is not – unless they have a Therapeutic Use Exemption.
Djokovic said he felt he could step in because two independent bodies linked to Tennis Australia and the Victoria state government had given him an exemption for contracting Covid-19 in December. The federal government argued that under its rules, previous infection with Covid-19 was not a valid reason for an exemption.
Djokovic’s legal team appealed Friday’s verdict and the case has been referred to Australia’s federal court.
After an emergency hearing on Friday, Judge Kelly ruled Djokovic had to undergo an interview with the Australian Border Force at an undisclosed location.
Kelly ordered authorities to arrest Djokovic and escort him to his attorney’s office while his case is heard in federal court.
Djokovic’s visa was first revoked shortly after his arrival on January 5, but Kelly ruled earlier this week that border officials had been “unreasonable” in canceling his original visa to enter Australia. The judge then ordered Djokovic’s release from immigration detention.
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