Novak Djokovic lost his final bid to avoid deportation from Australia on Sunday, ending a sensational 11-day battle over his COVID-19 vaccination status and dashing his dream of a record 21st Grand Slam.
In a few dry words, the chief justice of Australia’s Federal Court, James Allsop, Sunday dispensed with the unvaccinated tennis superstar’s attempt to reinstate his canceled visa.
“The orders of the court are that the amended application be dismissed with costs,” Allsop said announcing the unanimous decision, on the eve of the first matches at the Australian Open.
The 34-year-old defending champion and first seed had been scheduled to play in the evening of the first day. If he had retained the title he would become the first men’s tennis player in history to win 21 Grand Slams.
Djokovic has spent much of the last week in immigration detention, with his visa twice being revoked by the government over his refusal to get a COVID-19 vaccine before arrival - a requirement for most visitors.
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