Djokovic deported from Australia after losing appeal
Almost two weeks after first arriving in Australia, Novak Djokovic has been deported.
On Sunday (January 16), the country’s Federal Court upheld a government decision to cancel the tennis number one’s visa on the grounds his decision not to be vaccinated against COVID-19 posed a risk to the country.
"The orders of the court are, one, the amended application be dismissed with costs, such costs to be agreed or failing agreement, assessed. Two, reasons to be published at a later date."
In response to the ruling, Mr. Djokovic said that while he was "extremely disappointed" with the decision to revoke his visa, he would respect it and cooperate with the authorities in relation to his departure from the country.
The vaccine sceptic had originally entered the country claiming a medical exemption on the grounds he had recently recovered from the virus.
The unanimous ruling by a three-judge bench quashes the Serbian champion’s hopes of chasing a record 21st Grand Slam win at the Australian Open, which begins Monday (January 17).
The final ruling has also been welcomed by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, stating the decision will help "keep our borders strong and keep Australians safe".
Meanwhile, Serbian President Aleksander Vucic compared Australia’s treatment of Djokovic to “torture”.
Throughout the pandemic, Australia has endured some of the world's longest lockdowns, has achieved a 90% vaccination rate among adults, and has recently struggled to contain an outbreak of the Omicron variant.
The Serbian player boarded an Emirates flight bound from Melbourne to Dubai on Sunday evening just hours after the ruling, a Reuters witness said.
