Novak Djokovic has broken his silence following his impending deportation from Australia, admitting that he is ‘extremely disappointed’ with the Australian Government’s decision.
After a whirlwind 12 days in which the World No 1 has been put under the spotlight due to his vaccination status, Australia has declined the Serb’s visa, meaning he will not compete at the Australian Open.
Djokovic made a last-ditch attempt to overturn the decision in court, but he failed to convince three senior judges to let him stay, meaning he will likely be put on the first plane back to Dubai, after arriving Down Under on an Emirates flight nearly two weeks ago.
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 recuperate, before making any further comments beyond this.
‘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.
‘I respect the Court’s ruling and I will cooperate with the relevant authorities in relation to my departure from the country.
‘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. I would like to wish the players, tournament officials, staff, volunteers and fans all the best for the tournament.
‘Finally, I would like to thank my family, friends, team, supporters, fans and my fellow Serbians for your continued support. You have all been a great source of strength to me.’
Djokovic now faces immediate deportation and a three-year ban from Australia – dramatically shortening his odds of winning a championship he has bagged nine times before.
If he had won in court, it would have set the stage for a tilt at a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam – with Djokovic tied for titles with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
Australia’s Immigration Minister – Alex Hawke – based his decision to cancel the visa on the view that Djokovic’s stance on vaccination could pose a threat to public health in the country if he stays in Melbourne and plays in the Australian Open.
Djokovic is not vaccinated and lawyers for the government argued that the Serb’s repeated ignorance of Covid safety measures – including failing to isolate while Covid positive – was evidence enough of his views.
‘He’s chosen not to go into evidence in this proceeding. He could set the record straight if it needed correcting. He has not – that has important consequences,’ the government said in a written submission.
On the issue of whether Djokovic’s presence would stoke anti-vaccination sentiment, Stephen Lloyd, representing the minister, made reference to such groups ‘treating the applicant as a hero’.
Lloyd said: ‘He’s a high profile person who is in many respects a role model for many people. His presence in Australia would present more strongly to Australians his anti-vaccination views.
‘People use high-level athletes to promote ideas and causes all the time. His connection to a cause, whether he wants it or not, is still present.’
More to follow.
