Novak Djokovic has lost his battle to stay on in Australia and compete in the 2022 Australian Open, a Grand Slam tennis tournament. This is as he is set to be deported from Australia after losing a last-ditch court bid to stay in the country.
Judges unanimously rejected his challenge to the Australian government’s decision to cancel the unvaccinated player’s visa on “health and good order” grounds.
The world number one’s hopes of defending his Australian Open title and winning a record 21st Grand Slam in Melbourne are over.
Meanwhile, Djokovic said he was “extremely disappointed” by the Australian court’s decision to uphold the government’s cancellation of his visa, but he would comply and leave the country.
He said “I respect the Court’s ruling and I will cooperate with the relevant authorities in relation to my departure from the country,” the 34-year-old world number one said in a statement on the eve of the Australian Open.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison welcomed “the decision to keep our borders strong and keep Australians safe”. He noted that “Australians have made many sacrifices during this pandemic, and they rightly expect the result of those sacrifices to be protected.”
