The Federal Court has ordered the Australian Government to release tennis world no.1 Novak Djokovic from immigration detention and pay for his legal fees.

Despite the decision, Australia’s Immigration Minister, Alex Hawke, still has the overarching ability to cancel Djokovic’s visa due to a “purported threat to public health because he is unvaccinated” or “that it would be in the public interest to cancel the visa”, meaning Djokovic would be sent out of Australia and not permitted to return within the next three years.

The court ruling determined the Australian Government didn’t provide Djokovic enough time after notifying him of intent to cancel his visa to speak with others and respond with a fully thought-out answer.

Judge over the preceding, Anthony Kelly, discussing the option for Minister Hawke to overrule the decision and cancel Djokovic’s visa, said: “In a view, the stakes have risen rather than receded.”

The court case, which began today after Djokovic had been held at an immigration detention centre following the initial decision to cancel his visa on entry into Australia, pending Minister Hawke’s decision, would see Djokovic allowed to participate in the upcoming 2022 Australian Open.

As Djokovic had recently received a medical exemption from both Tennis Australia and the Victorian State Government before entering Australia, he would be allowed to compete in the Australian Open under the same restrictions facing all other athletes.

In the hearing, the court released a number of key documents, including transcripts from Djokovic’s interview with Australian Border Force officials after he was detained on arrival.

The transcripts are concerned with the moment Djokovic was informed of a notice of intention to consider cancelling his visa at 3:55am on his arrival, of which he was given until 8:30am to respond to.

In response to the news, Djokovic said: “I don’t understand, you’re cancelling my visa?”

The interviewer then replied confirming the notice of intention to consider cancellation, before suggesting Djokovic had “20 minutes, or whatever if you need more time you can request that” to provide reasons against the cancellation of his visa.

Djokovic then responded by saying: “I mean, I am really failing to understand what else do you want me to provide to you.”

“I have provided all the documents that Tennis Australia and Victorian Government has asked me to do in the last three/four weeks, this is what we have been doing.

“My agent and I have been in constant communication through 25 my agent with Tennis Australia and Victorian State Government, the medical panel…,” he said.

The decision to release Djokovic from the immigration detention was ultimately marked down to the work of the Australian Border Force officials at the airport, as he was not provided enough time to respond or contact his agent or legal representation.

Reports have suggested Minister Hawke was given four hours to decide on the cancellation of Djokovic’s visa, with reports Djokovic has now been arrested, with law enforcement present at his lawyers’ office, where he was waiting following the court hearing.

With updates ongoing, the Australian Government are likely to adhere to the judge ruling, the minister may restrict some movements  of the player  yet deliver the No.1 player to the tournament with appeals likely to fail and more taxpayers money being wasted.