Novak Djokovic
Athletes “disappointed” with the court decision
Novak Djokovic ‘disappointed’ after Melbourne court decision
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A federal court has ruled that Novak Djokovic must leave Australia. In a statement he said: “I’m disappointed.”
Novak Djokovic (34) cannot take part in the Australian Open. On Sunday (January 16), the federal court in Melbourne ruled that the Serbian tennis star must leave the country. The decision was preceded by a dispute about his visa. Djokovic later responded in a statement quoted by several media.
“I am very disappointed with the court’s decision,” he said. This means “that I cannot stay in Australia and cannot participate in the Australian Open”. However, Djokovic respects the decision and “will cooperate with the responsible authorities with regard to my departure”.
Novak Djokovic has already left Australia
He was “uncomfortable that the focus has been on me for the last few weeks and I hope that we can all focus on the game and the tournament that I love”. As the Australian newspaper “The Age” reports, Djokovic left on Sunday evening (local time) with an Emirates flight to Dubai.
Novak Djokovic had previously appealed against his being refused entry and the renewed cancellation of his visa. The federal court in Melbourne rejected this. Bone of contention: Djokovic is not vaccinated against Covid-19, which only allows entry to Australia under special circumstances.
The Australian Open will now take place without the world number one. The first Grand Slam tournament of the year starts as planned on Monday (January 17).