Djokovic loses visa appeal, leaves country ahead of Australian Open

By Hilary Whiteman, Julia Hollingsworth, Jessie Yeung, Adam Renton and Laura Smith-Spark, CNN

Updated 3:51 p.m. ET, January 16, 2022
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3:51 p.m. ET, January 16, 2022

Catch up: Tennis star Novak Djokovic leaves Australia after his visa is revoked

Tennis star Novak Djokovic has left Australia on an Emirates flight to Dubai. Earlier Sunday, judges in Australia dismissed Djokovic's challenge to overturn the cancellation of his visa for a second time.

The departure brings to an end a days-long drama revolving around whether or not the Serb, who is not vaccinated against Covid-19, could be admitted into the country under a medical exemption to compete in the Australian Open.

If you're just reading in now, here are this story's latest headlines:

  • Djokovic flies out of Australia, ending his Australian Open ambitions: Djokovic has left Australia on an Emirates flight to Dubai, hours after he lost a legal challenge against a decision to revoke his visa. The world No. 1 had been scheduled to play Monday night in the Australian Open, where he had hoped to ultimately win a record-breaking 21st men's grand slam title. Djokovic, as well as Switzerland's Roger Federer and Spain's Rafael Nadal, are all currently tied with 20 grand slam titles. Nadal, seeded 6th, will be participating in the Australian Open, though Federer will not.

  • Djokovic confirms he is leaving: "I cannot stay in Australia and participate in the Australian Open." In a statement released after his appeal was dismissed on Sunday, Novak Djokovic said he would cooperate with authorities in arranging his departure from the country and confirmed he would not be playing in the Australian Open. He said that while he was "extremely disappointed" in the judge's decision, "I respect the Court’s ruling and I'll cooperate with the relevant authorities in relation to my departure from Australia."

  • ATP says Djokovic's absence from the Australian Open "is a loss for the game," wishes him well: The ATP described the decision to uphold the cancellation of Novak Djokovic's visa as "the end of a deeply regrettable series of events" and said his absence from the Australian Open is "a loss for the game." The organization's statement said: "Ultimately, decisions of legal authorities regarding matters of public health must be respected."

  • Djokovic replaced in Australian Open draw: The organizers of the Australian Open have now replaced top seed Novak Djokovic following his failed attempt to halt his deportation from Australia. The new order of play inserts Salvatore Caruso in place of Djokovic. The Italian will face Serbian player Miomir Kecmanović.

  • Prime Minister Scott Morrison: Now it's time to "get on with the Australian Open": Australian PM Morrison welcomed the federal court's decision to dismiss Novak Djokovic's appeal on Sunday, saying in a statement that the cancelation decision "was made on health, safety and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so." He added, "I welcome the decision to keep our borders strong and keep Australians safe."

10:37 a.m. ET, January 16, 2022

Serbian Olympic Committee “very disappointed” over Australia’s decision to deport Djokovic

From CNN's Duarte Mendonca and Sharon Braithwaite

The Serbian Olympic Committee said on Sunday it was “very disappointed” over Australia’s “scandalous decision” to deport star tennis player Novak Djokovic, adding that a “huge injustice” had been committed against their “champion.” 

“The Olympic Committee of Serbia is very disappointed with the decision to deport Novak Djokovic from Australia, thus depriving him of proving himself the greatest tennis player in the world of all times,” the Serbian Olympic Committee said in a statement released on their website.

The statement went on to suggest the decision wasn’t “independent of politics or any other external influence” and that “through non-sports ways, Djokovic was deprived of the right to compete for his 10th title at the Australian Open.”

The Serbian Olympic Committee said Djokovic deserved the utmost respect from Australia due to his status as an elite athlete, as well as his demeanor and intention to play by Australia’s rules. 

“The treatment of Novak Djokovic in Australia is absolutely unacceptable, considering his status, his attitude, and intention to respect all the rules and regulations that he was asked of,” the statement added.

“Unfortunately, the ill-intent towards the best player in the world was obvious throughout the process. We find it particularly unacceptable that the decision waited for the last minute just before the beginning of the tournament, which, even if his participation was granted, would in itself put him at a disadvantage compared to other players,” the statement added.

Serbia’s Olympic committee went on to reiterate how proud they are of Djokovic over his handling of the Australian Open ordeal, calling him a “dignified champion.” 

 “We are proud of Novak Djokovic and how he coped with these extremely difficult and unpleasant circumstances that he's found himself in. A dignified champion and despite this scandalous decision, we consider him a winner in this situation,” the statement said. 

The statement concluded by suggesting that the “most important thing for Novak now is to leave Australia as soon as possible and join his family in order to recover and regain strength for new victories on tennis courts, where he is unsurpassable”.

“As always, the Olympic Committee of Serbia will support and stand by not just Novak Djokovic but all other sportsmen of our country whenever needed,” the statement said.

9:10 a.m. ET, January 16, 2022

Serbian PM calls Australian court decision on Djokovic "scandalous" 

From CNN's Sharon Braithewaite in London

The Federal Court of Australia's decision to uphold Djokovic's visa cancellation is "scandalous," Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic told journalists on Sunday. 

"I think the decision is scandalous. I am disappointed and I think it has shown how the rule of law functions in some other countries, i.e. how it doesn't function," said Brnabic in an interview with Beta News Agency in Belgrade.

"I look forward to seeing Djokovic in his own country, in Serbia, and to go through this together with him and give him our support in this difficult time for him," Brnabic added.

8:49 a.m. ET, January 16, 2022

Djokovic family says they are "very disappointed" with the Australian court ruling

From CNN's Milos Milic in Belgrade

Novak Djokovic's family said in a statement on Sunday that they are "very disappointed" with the Federal Court of Australia's decision to uphold his visa cancellation.

"We are very disappointed with the Federal Court Decision and the fact that Novak has to leave Australia," said the Djokovic family in a statement. "This isn't just a sport's issue and playing at the first Grand Slam of the season, dominated by Novak for a decade now, but politics as well all the interests that took priority over sports."

The family also said they believed the Australian court would take into account "that Novak has a valid visa" and hoped that justice would prevail and no "public interests" would influence the decision.

"These are difficult moments, especially for Novak; however, what we all have to do now, particularly we, as his family is to give him our full support more than ever before. We'll be there to share the blows he's received to help him regain his energy and the faith in this sport and above all the fair play, lacking on this occasion. We are proud of him and the strength he demonstrated in his dignified fight," the statement added. 

"We believe he is going to come out of this stronger and that the time will tell what Novak has certainly demonstrated so far what a great champion and a decent man he is," the family said in the statement.

10:04 a.m. ET, January 16, 2022

Serbian President slams "witch hunt" against Djokovic, says player can "return to his country with his head held high"

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić speaks with the press on Sunday, January 16.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić speaks with the press on Sunday, January 16. (Agence Beta/AFP)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said on Sunday that Australian authorities “think they humiliated Djokovic,” but “have humiliated themselves.”

Addressing journalists, Vučić said he had spoken to Novak Djokovic and offered him encouragement, after judges in Australia on Sunday dismissed the player's challenge to overturn the cancellation of his visa for a second time.

"I spoke with Djokovic shortly after the decision was handed down. I encouraged him, letting him know that we are all awaiting his return to Serbia, his home country, where he is always welcome. Those people who were trying to show [the world] that they are so principled, in fact, demonstrated the exact opposite," Vučić said.

Vučić went on to criticize how Djokovic was treated by the Australian media and authorities, calling it a "witch hunt" against the tennis star and Serbia.

"You are harassing the best tennis player in the world for 10, 11 days, and on the 11th day you hand down the decision that you had always intended to hand down since day one," Vučić said.

"If you had said that an unvaccinated person cannot enter Australia, then Djokovic either would not have come or would have gotten vaccinated. But you left the door open for medical exemption, and so he received one and came with this status. He did all that was asked of him and then began the harassment, followed by an unprecedented media lynching," he added.

"A literal witch hunt was whipped up against one person and one country because they wanted to show Novak Djokovic how world order works, and how they can treat anyone they choose like this," the president said.

Vučić also accused the prosecutor of "lying," saying he had understated the proportion of Serbia's population that is vaccinated against Covid-19. According to official data, 58% of the adult population in Serbia is vaccinated.

Vučić added that Serbia would give Australian athletes an "incomparably better" welcome in March, when the World Athletics Indoor Championships takes place in Belgrade.

"They will come to the athletics championship and we will show the Australian government how much better we are," he said.

Vučić then thanked those in Australia who have supported the tennis star: "I thank the Australian people, who I am certain love Serbian people as much as we respect the Australian people."

Vučić concluded, "They think they’ve humiliated Djokovic, with this 10-day harassment. They’ve only humiliated themselves, and Djokovic can return to his country with his head held high."

7:20 a.m. ET, January 16, 2022

Immigration minister confirms Djokovic has left Australia

Australia's Immigration Minister Alex Hawke has confirmed Novak Djokovic's departure from Australian soil.

"I welcome today’s unanimous decision by the Full Federal Court of Australia, upholding my decision to exercise my power under the Migration Act to cancel Mr Novak Djokovic’s visa in the public interest," Hawke tweeted.

"I can confirm that Mr Djokovic has now departed Australia."

An Emirates plane carrying Djokovic has taken off from Melbourne Airport, bound for Dubai.

7:04 a.m. ET, January 16, 2022

Djokovic flies out of Australia, ending his Australian Open ambitions

Novak Djokovic walks in Melbourne Airport before boarding a flight on January 16, after the Federal Court upheld a government decision to cancel his visa to play in the Australian Open.
Novak Djokovic walks in Melbourne Airport before boarding a flight on January 16, after the Federal Court upheld a government decision to cancel his visa to play in the Australian Open. (Loren Elliott/Reuters)

Novak Djokovic has left Australia on an Emirates flight to Dubai, hours after he lost a legal challenge against a decision to revoke his visa.

The player's ultimate destination is not yet known.

The departure brings to an end a days-long drama revolving around whether or not the Serb, who is not vaccinated against Covid-19, could be admitted to the country under a medical exemption.

The world No. 1 had been scheduled to play Monday night in the Australian Open, where he had hoped to win a record-breaking 21st men's grand slam title.

Read the story in full:

6:17 a.m. ET, January 16, 2022

Djokovic leaving shortly on Emirates flight -- source

From CNN's Paula Hancocks

World men’s tennis No.1 Novak Djokovic will depart Australia at 10:30 p.m. local time (6:30 a.m. ET) Sunday on an Emirates flight, a source with knowledge of the case confirms.

5:59 a.m. ET, January 16, 2022

Djokovic supporter in Melbourne "very disappointed" by ruling

Goran Zabic, who was among a group of Djokovic supporters who gathered in Melbourne on Sunday, said he was "absolutely devastated, as well as shocked" by the outcome.

"I really was surprised that a person such as a minister could overturn a judicial system. So, very disappointed, very disappointed,” Zabic told CNN.

He had believed he would get to support Djokovic in the Australian Open, Zabic said. Asked if he had a message for the Serbian tennis star, he said: “Look, not to get political but I'd just like to say, Novak you've won the fight. But looks like you lost the political war.”

He described Djokovic as being a "national hero" to the Serbian people, adding that he was an "absolute legend, as a human and as a tennis player. Extremely important.”