Novak Djokovic ‘extremely disappointed’ after losing his appeal to remain in Australia, leaves on flight to Dubai
- Federal Court unanimously rejects his appeal to stay in the country and defend his Australian Open title
- Djokovic spent Saturday night in an immigration detention hotel after he and his lawyers met with immigration officials earlier in the day
Novak Djokovic left Australia on Sunday night having lost his bid to remain in the country, after the Federal Court upheld the government’s decision to cancel the tennis star’s visa.
The world No 1 travelled to Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport accompanied by Australian Border Force officials just hours after three judges unanimously upheld a decision by Immigration Minister Alex Hawke to cancel the 34-year-old’s visa on public interest grounds.
Djokovic boarded a flight for Dubai at 10.30pm local time, and faces a three-year ban from returning to Australia. He has also been ordered to pay court costs.
“I can confirm that Mr Djokovic has now departed Australia,” Hawke tweeted.
“I am extremely disappointed with the court 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,” Djokovic said in a statement.
“I respect the court’s ruling and I will cooperate with the relevant authorities in relation to my departure from the country.”
