SYDNEY, (Reuters) – The Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison left Novak Djokovic the option to participate at the Australian Open next year despite him being banned from entering Australia for three years.

After the Federal Court upheld his decision to cancel his visa by Australia, the world’s number one tennis player left Australia on Sunday. This ended days of tension over his non-vaccinated status and COVID-19 entry regulations.

Djokovic can no longer be granted a second visa during the three-year period under Australian immigration law. This is unless Djokovic’s Australian minister of immigration accepts compelling or compassionate reasons.

Morrison, who was traveling to Dubai with Djokovic on Monday, stated that “I don’t intend to precondition any part of that” or to say anything that would prevent the minister from making the necessary calls.

Although it does not cover a period of three years, there are still opportunities for growth. [a person]you can return under the best circumstances. We will consider that at the time.

Djokovic was disillusioned by his supporters and family when he received a unanimous decision from a Federal Court bench of three judges.

The world’s best men’s soccer player was taken into custody by immigration officials on January 6. He was then released by court order on January 10. On Saturday, he was again detained pending the court hearing on Sunday.

Djokovic (34 years old) said that he was extremely disappointed by the decision, but he respects the court’s decision.

Djokovic released a statement prior to flying out of Melbourne, saying that he was uncomfortable with the fact that my focus has been on him for the last weeks.

Alex Hawke, Immigration Minister said Djokovic might pose a danger to public order as his presence could encourage anti-vaccination sentiments in the midst of Australia’s most severe coronavirus epidemic.

Federal Court judges stated that while their decision was based solely on the lawfulness, legality, and validity of the minister’s decision they did not consider the merits or wisdom of the decision. The full reasoning of their decision is yet to be released by them.

International debate has been sparked by the visa scandal of the Serbian tennis player.

Djokovic received a visa to Australia. His COVID-19-related infection, which occurred Dec. 16, provided Djokovic with the opportunity for medical exemption. Australia does not require that visitors are vaccinated. Tennis Australia and Victoria arranged the exemption.

This exemption caused widespread anger in Australia. Australia has been subject to some of the most severe COVID-19 lockdowns anywhere and more than 90% are currently vaccinated.

POLITICAL TOUCHSTONE

Morrison made the controversy a key political issue as he prepared for an election in May amid tensions between Morrison’s centre-right federal government and his Victoria state government.

Morrison, Monday’s defense of his handling of the matter, distinguished Djokovic’s case from those made by vaccine sceptics in his government.

“If you’re someone coming from overseas, and there are conditions for you to enter this country, then you have to comply with them,” he said. It is about someone who tried to travel to Australia without complying with our entry regulations.

Belgrade and Canberra also got into a dispute over the saga, with Ana Brnabic (Serbian Prime Minister) calling the decision “scandalous”.

The decision by ATP, the men’s tennis governing body, “marks an end to a deeply regrettable sequence of events”, Tennis Australia said.

The media circus was making tennis players impatient.

The situation is not good for everyone. “It feels like everything happened very last-minute and that is why it has become such a mess,” stated former world No. Andy Murray.