Federal Court releases reasons for Novak Djokovic visa decision

The Federal Court has revealed the reasons why it rejected tennis star Novak Djokovic's challenge against the federal government's decision to cancel his visa.

In a unanimous decision, Chief Justice James Allsop, Justice Anthony Besanko and Justice David O'Callaghan said Immigration Minister Alex Hawke's decision to cancel Djokovic's visa was not irrational or illogical.

The three judges found it was not irrational for the Mr Hawke to be concerned that the support of anti-vaccination groups for Djokovic may encourage protests and further community transmission.

The judges said they did not consider the merits or wisdom of the minister's decision, only whether or not it was lawful.

The world number one men's tennis player was deported from Australia late on Sunday after he failed in a bid to have the visa cancellation overturned.

The full bench of the Federal Court unanimously agreed to dismiss Djokovic's application on Sunday before he was due to play in the Australian Open on Monday.

The reasons published online on Thursday afternoon make note of the tennis star's influence in the public sphere.

«An iconic world tennis star may influence people of all ages, young or old, but perhaps especially the young and the impressionable, to emulate him,» the court said.

«This is not fanciful; it does not need evidence. It is the recognition of human behaviour from a modest familiarity with human experience.

»Even if Mr Djokovic did not win the Australian Open, the capacity of his presence in Australia playing tennis to encourage those who would emulate or wish to be like him is a rational foundation for the view that he might foster anti-vaccination sentiment."

The court outlined the central argument from Djokovic's legal team.

«The central