Tennis Star Novak Djokovic Has Been Deported From Australia

Tennis Star Novak Djokovic Has Been Deported From Australia

Novak Djokovic has been deported from Australia after losing a last-ditch court bid to stay in the country.

Judges rejected a challenge launched by the unvaccinated tennis star after the government canceled his visa on “health and good order” grounds.

Djokovic said he was “extremely disappointed” but accepted the ruling. He left on a flight to Dubai on Sunday.

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It marks the end of a 10-day saga in which Djokovic fought to stay to defend his title in the Australian Open.

The player and his team was captured arriving at the Melbourne Airport for their flight home on Sunday evening local time.

Djokovic, whose trouble entering Australia has centred around his refusal to be vaccinated against Covid-19, had been scheduled to begin his quest on Monday for a record-extending 10th Australian Open title and 21st Grand Slam crown but has now been replaced in the draw.

He is now facing a potential three-year ban from travelling to Australia and will be permitted to return only in “compelling circumstances that affect the national interest”.