Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison defended the country's immigration policies following fierce international backlash, after Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic was permitted to participate in the 2022 Australian Open, despite not being vaccinated.

Asked about why a decision on Djokovic's deportation had yet to be made by the Immigration Minister Alex Hawke, Morrison responded: "I refer to Minister Hawke's most recent statement and that position hasn't changed. These are personal ministerial powers able to be exercised by Minister Hawke and I don't propose to make any further comment at this time."

Speaking from Canberra on Thursday, Morrison also commented on Australia's tough immigration policies in the wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, explaining: "We've had, since the 15th of December, where fully vaccinated eligible visa holders could travel to Australia without needing to apply for a travel exemption and to enter those states (who) were allowing them to enter quarantine free, that individual has to show that they're double vaccinated or must provide acceptable proof that they cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons. That is the policy. That policy hasn't changed."

On Monday, the world number one men’s tennis player won his legal battle with the Australian government over his visa and was released from detention. The tennis star had argued that his recovery from COVID in December exempted him from needing to be vaccinated, despite appearing in public without a mask during the days he alleged he was infected.

Djokovic could still be deported, however, as Immigration Minister Hawke is considering implementing his personal powers of cancellation.

Hawke alone has the right to decide whether the unvaccinated 34-year-old's visa should be rejected.

According to Australian law, Hawke has the power to reject the visa if he deems Djokovic's stay in Melbourne as a threat to the country's public health.

The Australian Open is set to run between January 17 and January 30.