Djokovic’s visa was canceled for a second time by the Australian government on Friday. Alex Hawke, the Immigration Minister, decided to exercise his “personal power” to order the Serb’s deportation as it was in the “public interest” to do so.

Hawke’s decision came just a few days after the World No. 1’s visa was reinstated by the court earlier, who found that authorities had committed “procedural errors” in their handling of the Serb’s case.

Against that background, Janko Tipsarevic expressed his anger at the treatment meted out to his countryman. Tipsarevic took to Twitter to hit out at the authorities, describing the entire saga as a “toxic shame.”

Djokovic fans seemed to agree with Tipsarevic’s views, with one user named “Vintageaddicted” claiming that Tennis Australia had set up the World No. 1 “deliberately”.

Another fan claimed the media and the federal government had played their part in ruining the World No. 1’s image in the eyes of the Australian public.

Mardy Fish asks Twitter whether Novak Djokovic should be allowed to play at Australian Open, 62% vote yes

Former World No. 7 Mardy Fish also took to Twitter on Friday, asking his followers whether they felt the Serb should be allowed to participate at the 2022 Australian Open. The American also put up a GIF of a man eating popcorn in reply to his main tweet, inferring that he was going to enjoy their discourse on the controversial matter.

Surprisingly, around 62% of the Twitterverse voted ‘yes’ on the American’s poll. Many fans in Fish’s replies expressed their empathy with Djokovic, although a majority of them were probably the Serb’s fans.

A few fans, however, accused Fish of deriving pleasure out of the World No. 1’s situation (perhaps due to the GIF he posted). A fan named Nat even accused the American of trying to be witty at the Serb’s expense.

If Djokovic does not have his visa reinstated during Sunday’s hearing, the Serb will not be allowed to defend his title at Melbourne Park. He could also be barred from entering Australia for three years.

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