Novak Djokovic has left Australia after judges upheld the government’s cancellation of his visa and his deportation.
Three Federal Court judges upheld a decision made on Friday by the immigration minister to cancel the 34-year-old Serb’s visa on public interest grounds.
The full reasons behind the court’s unanimous ruling will be published in the “coming days”.
There was the possibility of a further legal challenge but it was confirmed half an hour after the ruling that Djokovic was not seeking that option.
The player and his team arrived at 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”.
In a statement via The Age newspaper in Melbourne, Djokovic said: “I would like to make a brief statement to address the outcomes of today’s court hearing. I will now be taking some time to rest and to recuperate, before making any further comments beyond this.
“I am extremely disappointed with the ruling to dismiss my application for judicial review of the minister’s decision to cancel my visa, which means I cannot stay in Australia and participate in the Australian Open. (Sky)