New Delhi: Novak Djokovic has lost. The legal battle.
The tennis star lost his final bid to avoid deportation from Australia on Sunday after a 11-day legal battle over cancellation of his visa and his COVID-19 vaccination status, the AFP reports.
Australia’s Federal Court Chief Justice James Allsop said, “The orders of the court are that the amended application be dismissed with costs.”
Djokovic said he was “extremely disappointed” by Australia’s decision to deport him but would comply and leave the country.
“I will now be taking some time to rest and to recuperate, before making any further comments beyond this,” he said.
“I am uncomfortable that the focus of the past weeks has been on me and I hope that we can all now focus on the game and tournament I love,” said Djokovic.
“I would like to wish the players, tournament officials, staff, volunteers and fans all the best for the tournament,” he said.
Djokovic would have become the first men’s tennis player in history to win 21 Grand Slams had the court allowed his plea and had he retained the title.
Now, he will be put on a flight out of Australia after the court’s decision.
Besides immediate deportation, the Serbian star also faces a three-year ban from Australia.
