Melbourne, January 14: Tennis star Novak Djokovic faces deportation again after the Australian government revoked his visa for a second time. Immigration Minister Alex Hawke said Friday he used his ministerial discretion to revoke the 34-year-old Serb's visa on public interest grounds three days before the Australian Open is to begin.

Djokovic's lawyers are expected to appeal the cancelation in the Federal Circuit and Family Court as they successfully did after the first cancellation. Also Read | India vs South Africa 3rd Test 2021-22 Day 4 Live Streaming Online: Get Free Live Telecast of IND vs SA Test Series on TV With Time in IST.

It is the second time Djokovic's visa has been canceled since he arrived in Melbourne last week to defend his Australian Open title. Also Read | Virat Kohli Criticised for his Comments on Stump Mic During IND vs SA 3rd Test Day 3, Gautam Gambhir, Aakash Chopra & Others Lash Out at Indian Captain.

His exemption from a COVID-19 vaccination requirement to compete was approved by the Victoria state government and Tennis Australia, the tournament organizer. That apparently allowed him to receive a visa to travel.

But the Australian Border Force rejected the exemption and canceled his visa upon arrival in Melbourne. He spent four nights in hotel detention before a judge on Monday overturned that decision.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)