The world tennis star Novak Djokovic was deported on Monday by the Australian authorities.
The plane carrying the world number 1 had landed in Dubai early Monday after a flight of 13 hours and a half. He had arrived on a flight of the airline Emirates.
Djokovic is also banned from entering Australia for three years.
He had appealed the decision of the judicial authorities accusing him of not respecting the protocols related to COVID-19.
Mr. Djokovic had applied for permission to stay in Melbourne during the tournament on a medical exemption “due to a coronavirus infection last month”.
Immediately after the court decision, the Mega Star issued a statement in which he expressed his disappointment.
“I will now take time to rest and recover, before making any further comments. I am extremely disappointed with the Court’s decision to dismiss my application for judicial review of the Minister’s decision to cancel my visa, which means I cannot stay in Australia and compete in the Australian Open. I respect the Court’s decision and will cooperate with the relevant authorities regarding my departure from the country. I am uncomfortable that the attention of the past few weeks has been focused on me and I hope we can all focus on the game and the tournament I love. I would like to wish the players, tournament officials, staff, volunteers and fans the best for the tournament. Finally, I would like to thank my family, friends, team, supporters, fans and fellow Serbians for your continued support. You all have been a great source of strength for me.”
Novak Djokovic is being blamed for not isolating himself after testing positive for coronavirus. He had lied to immigration officials regarding his positive test for COVID-19.
Reacting to the decision to bar the Serb from the competition, the Australian Prime Minister said it was the right thing to do. This decision will “keep our borders strong and Australians safe”, said Scott Morrison, adding that “it is now time to get on with the Australian Open and get back to enjoying the tennis in the summer”.
The immigration minister also welcomed the judges’ decision to side with him in cancelling Novak Djokovic’s visa.
“Australia’s strong border protection policies have kept us safe during the pandemic, resulting in one of the lowest mortality rates, strongest economic recoveries and highest vaccination rates in the world. Strong border protection policies are also fundamental to maintaining Australia’s social cohesion, which continues to strengthen despite the pandemic.”
Held since 1905, the Australian Open is one of the most important Grand Slam tennis tournaments in the world.
If he had not been expelled from the competition Novak Djokovic would have the opportunity to win a tenth Australian Open and his twenty-first Grand Slam.
Barring a reconsideration by the Australian courts, Mr. Djokovic should be deprived of this competition for a period of three years.