‘Disappointed’ Novak Djokovic Accepts Australia Deportation: Escorted to Airport Under Guard Before Flying Out
A “disappointed” Novak Djokovic said Sunday he accepts a court has dismissed his deportation challenge and acknowledged his hopes of playing at the Australian Open are over.
The BBC reports the tennis great left Australia on a 10.30pm Emirates flight to Dubai enroute to Europe. He was earlier escorted to Melbourne airport under guard provided by the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
JUST IN | Novak Djokovic under AFP escort in the lounge at Melbourne Airport ahead of his flight back to Europe via Dubai next hour. #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/Mb47tW76VC
— Shane McInnes (@shanemcinnes) January 16, 2022
The top-ranked tennis star released a statement shortly after three Federal Court judges unanimously upheld a decision made on Friday by Immigration Minister Alex Hawke to cancel the 34-year-old Serb’s visa on public interest grounds because he is not vaccinated for coronavirus.
As Breitbart News reported, Djokovic’s dream of winning a 21st grand-slam title in Melbourne over the next two weeks is finished. His chance of ever playing in Australia again is also in doubt. – READ MORE
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