Covid-19: Australian court to publish reasons for dismissing Djokovic challenge on Jan 20

The Federal Court of Australia will publish reasons for its dismissal of tennis star Novak Djokovic's challenge to the cancellation of his visa on Thursday at 0515 GMT, the court said.

The reasons will be read out in court by Chief Justice James Allsop in a session streamed live online, a court spokesperson said.

Djokovic was deported from Australia on Sunday night, just hours after the court dismissed his effort to stay in the country to play at the Australian Open, where he hoped to win a record 21st major title.

The year's first Grand Slam tournament began on Monday.

His departure ended an 11-day rollercoaster following the cancellation of his visa on arrival for not having a proper medical exemption from Covid-19 vaccination requirements.

Late last Friday the government cancelled his visa again on the grounds that he might foster anti-vaccination sentiment if he was allowed to stay. Djokovic challenged the cancellation on the grounds the minister had acted irrationally, but the court dismissed the case.