Novak Djokovic leaves Australia, ‘disappointed’ after losing appeal
MELBOURNE, Australia – Novak Djokovic will not be defending his Australian Open title.
>> PHOTOS: Novak Djokovic arrives in Serbia after deportation from Australia
The world’s No. 1-ranked men’s tennis player, who is unvaccinated against COVID-19, lost his final bid to avoid deportation on Sunday when a court unanimously dismissed his challenge against an Australian government minister’s decision to cancel his visa, ESPN reported.
The court’s decision cannot be appealed.
Djokovic, 34, said in a statement that he was “extremely disappointed” but that he respected the ruling. He said he would “cooperate with the relevant authorities in relation to my departure from the country.”
“I am uncomfortable that the focus of the past weeks has been on me and I hope that we can all now focus on the game and tournament I love,” said Djokovic, the defending champion who has won the Grand Slam event nine times. “I would like to wish the players, tournament officials, staff, volunteers and fans all the best for the tournament.”
>> Coronavirus: Novak Djokovic’s Australian visa revoked for 2nd time
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison welcomed the decision and said it was “time to get on with the Australian Open.”
“Strong borders are fundamental to the Australian way of life as is the rule of law,” Morrison said in a statement. “Our government has always understood this and has been prepared to take the decisions and actions necessary to protect the integrity of our borders.”
But opposition spokesperson Kristina Keneally said Djokovic was being deported for what he said and did publicly overseas before the government gave him a visa in November.
“This mess isn’t a failure of our laws,” Keneally tweeted. “It’s a failure of Morrison’s competence and leadership.”
Djokovic arrived at Melbourne Airport on Sunday night and boarded an Emirates flight bound for Dubai, The New York Times reported. The 20-time Grand Slam champion could be barred from entering Australia for the next three years under its laws regarding visa cancellations, but the government could waive that.
“I welcome today’s unanimous decision by the Full Federal Court of Australia, upholding my decision to exercise my power under the Migration Act to cancel Mr Novak Djokovic’s visa in the public interest,” Australia’s immigration minister, Alex Hawke, tweeted Sunday.
“I can confirm that Mr. Djokovic has now departed Australia.”
https://twitter.com/KKeneally/status/1482567703219294209?s=20
Djokovic’s legal team had argued in court on Sunday that Hawke had erred by canceling Djokovic’s visa on the grounds that he could encourage anti-vaccination sentiment in the country, the Times reported. Hawke had not considered whether deporting Djokovic could also stoke such sentiment, Djokovic’s lawyers argued.
However, a panel of three judges rejected that argument, according to the newspaper. A lawyer for Hawke argued Sunday that Djokovic’s team could not possibly prove that the immigration minister had failed to consider the consequences of his decision.
>> Coronavirus: Novak Djokovic’s Australian visa reinstated by judge
The judges heard the case over five hours on Sunday and announced their verdict two hours later, ESPN reported.
Djokovic’s visa was first canceled on Jan. 6 by a border official who decided the Serb did not qualify for a medical exemption from Australia’s rules for unvaccinated visitors, The Associated Press reported. Djokovic was initially exempted from the tournament’s vaccine rules because he had been infected with the virus within the last six months.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic labeled the hearing “a farce with a lot of lies.”
“They think that they humiliated Djokovic with this 10-day harassment, and they actually humiliated themselves,” Vucic told reporters. “If you said that the one who was not vaccinated has no right to enter, Novak would not come or would be vaccinated.”
Vucic added that “we can’t wait to see him in Serbia, to return to his country, to come where he is always welcome.”
Novak Djokovic looks as his documents after landing in Belgrade, Serbia, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.
Novak Djokovic looks as his documents after landing in Belgrade, Serbia, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.
Fans wave a Serbian flag as Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic arrives at the Nikola Tesla airport in Belgrade, Serbia, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.
An airplane believed to carry Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic arrives at the Nikola Tesla airport in Belgrade, Serbia, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.
Police forces guard the area waiting for arrival of Novak Djokovic in front of the VIP terminal at the Nikola Tesla airport in Belgrade, Serbia, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.
A man takes a selfie photograph with Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic after his arrival in Belgrade, Serbia, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.
A vehicle taking Novak Djokovic, unseen, arrives at an apartment complex in Belgrade, Serbia, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.
Fans with Serbian flag and journalist wait for arrival of Novak Djokovic in front of the VIP terminal at the Nikola Tesla airport in Belgrade, Serbia, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.
Novak Djokovic prepares to take his seat on a plane to Belgrade, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.
Novak Djokovic prepares to take his seat on a plane to Belgrade, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.
Here are some memorable photos of tennis star Novak Djokovic through the years.
2004: Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Montenegro in action against Dannis Van Scheppinggen of the Netherlands during the first round of the ATP Thailand Open at the Inpact Arena on September 28, 2004, in Bangkok, Thailand.
2005: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates beating Gael Monfils of France during the first round of the US Open at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park on August 30, 2005, in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Djokovic won 7-5, 4-6, 7-6, 0-6, 7-5.
2006: Andy Murray of Great Britain and Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Montenegro celebrate a point in their doubles match against Fabrice Santoro of France and Nenad Zimonjic of Serbia and Montenegro during Day 4 of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park January 19, 2006, in Melbourne, Australia.
2007: Tennis pro Novak Djokovic poses for a portrait shoot on April 15, 2007, in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
2008: Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses with his trophy following his victory at the Men’s Singles at the Australian Open 2008 on January 28, 2008, in Melbourne, Australia.
2009: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates with the trophy after defeating Roger Federer of Switzerland in the final during Day 7 of the Davidoff Swiss Indoors Tennis at St. Jakobshalle on November 8, 2009, in Basel, Switzerland.
2010: Rafael Nadal of Spain (right) poses with the championship trophy alongside runner up Novak Djokovic of Serbia (left) after their men’s singles final on Day 15 of the 2010 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 13, 2010, in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.
2011: Novak Djokovic of Serbia kisses the trophy as he celebrates defeating Rafael Nadal of Spain during the Men’s Final on Day 15 of the 2011 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 12, 2011, in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.
2012: Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup and the clock after winning championship point and playing in the longest grand slam final ever in his men’s final match against Rafael Nadal of Spain during Day 14 of the 2012 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 29, 2012, in Melbourne, Australia.
2013: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates winning against Richard Gasquet of France during their men’s semifinal match of the 2013 China Open at the National Tennis Center on October 5, 2013, in Beijing, China.
2014: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates winning a game against Milos Raonic of Canada during Day 7 of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia tennis 2014 on May 17, 2014, in Rome, Italy.
2015: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates with the winner’s trophy after defeating Roger Federer of Switzerland during their Men’s Singles Final match on Day 14 of the 2015 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 13, 2015, in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Djokovic defeated Federer 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.
2016: Serena Williams of the USA and Novak Djokovic of Serbia pose with the trophies during the 2016 Australian Open official draw at Melbourne Park on January 15, 2016, in Melbourne, Australia.
2017: Novak Djokovic of Serbia stretches to hit a forehand during the men’s singles third round match against Diego Schwartzman of Argentina on Day 6 of the 2017 French Open at Roland Garros on June 2, 2017, in Paris, France.
2018: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates a point duirng his men’s singles third-round match against Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain during Day 6 of the 2018 French Open at Roland Garros on June 1, 2018, in Paris, France.
2019: Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup following victory in his Men’s Singles Final match against Rafael Nadal of Spain during Day 14 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2019, in Melbourne, Australia.
2020: Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a forehand during his Men’s Singles third-round match against Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan on Day 5 of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 24, 2020, in Melbourne, Australia.
2021: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates winning match point in his Men’s Singles third-round match against Taylor Fritz of the United States during Day 5 of the 2021 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on February 12, 2021, in Melbourne, Australia.
