Novak Djokovic court case updates: Djokovic leaves Australia

Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic flew out of Australia on Sunday after a court upheld the government's decision to cancel his visa, capping days of drama over the country's COVID-19 entry rules and his unvaccinated status. The Serbian player went to the airport in Melbourne just hours later. Federal agents escorted him and his team from the business lounge to the gate, where he boarded an Emirates flight bound for Dubai. The flight took off shortly before 11 p.m. (1200 GMT).

Former world number one Andy Murray expressed sympathy for Novak Djokovic after the Serb's hopes of winning a record 21st Grand Slam title at this year's Australian Open ended on Sunday at the conclusion of a long-running visa saga. A Federal Court's decision to uphold a government decision to cancel Djokovic's visa means the nine-times Melbourne champion will be heading home as the tournament starts on Monday. Murray, who has lost four Australian Open finals to his career-long rival Djokovic, said he felt for his old junior rival.

Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic boarded a plane to leave Australia on Sunday after the Federal Court upheld a government decision to cancel his visa on the grounds that his decision not to be vaccinated against COVID-19 posed a risk to the country. The unanimous ruling by a three-judge bench dealt a final blow to Djokovic's hopes of chasing a record 21st Grand Slam win at the Australian Open, after a rollercoaster ride.

Djokovic leaves Australia

Novak Djokovic walks in Melbourne Airport before boarding a flight, after the Federal Court upheld a government decision to cancel his visa to play in the Australian Open, in Melbourne, Australia on January 16, 2022. (Reuters Photo)

Djokovic boards plane bound for Dubai after court upholds visa cancellation

Tennis star Novak Djokovic boarded a plane bound for Dubai on Sunday evening, a Reuters journalist said, after the Australian Federal Court upheld the government's cancellation of his visa in a drama over his decision not to be vaccinated against coronavirus. The player was seen boarding an Emirates flight from Melbourne just hours after the court ruling. (Reuters)

BREAKING: Novak Djokovic boards plane bound from Melbourne to Dubai after Australian Court upholds visa cancellation - Reuters witness

Rafael Nadal's bid to win a record 21st Grand Slam when the Australian Open begins Monday has been given a huge boost by the absence of fellow history-chaser Novak Djokovic. The 20-time Grand Slam winners had been drawn to meet in the semi-final, a prospect torpedoed when the unvaccinated Djokovic lost his last-gasp bid to avoid deportation on the eve of the tournament.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic lashed out at Australian authorities Sunday morning, hours after a federal court paved the way for the deportation of Novak Djokovic on the eve of the Australian Open over his vaccine status. "They think that they have by this, this mistreatment of ten days humiliated Djokovic, but they have humiliated themselves. Djokovic can return to his country with his head held high," Vucic told a state media outlet.

A court decision on Sunday to uphold Novak Djokovic's Australian visa cancellation was an end to a "deeply regrettable" series of events and the Serb's exit from the Australian Open was a loss for the sport, men's tennis governing body ATP has said.

Statement: ATP On Novak Djokovic Australian Visa Cancellation

STATEMENT: Australian Open

Djokovic is always welcome in Serbia: President

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said he had spoken to Novak Djokovic after an Australian court decided to deport the tennis player.

UPDATE:

Serbian President Vucic says he spoke to Novak Djokovic, told him he is always welcome in Serbia

Misinformation needs to be corrected about my activities and attendance at events in December in the lead-up to my positive PCR Covid result, particularly in the interest of alleviating broader concern the community about my presence in Australia, says Djokovic on Instagram