Novak Djokovic 'extremely disappointed' after losing deportation appeal

World No 1 accepts chances of defending Australian Open title are over and that he will cooperate with authorities to depart country

Novak is appealing Immigration Minister Alex Hawke's use of discretionary powers to cancel his visa again on the grounds that he was a threat to public order because his presence would encourage anti-vaccination sentiment amidst Australia's worst outbreak of the virus. AFP

Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic departs the Park Hotel while under immigration detention, to convene with his legal team after his visa to play in the Australian Open was cancelled a second time, in Melbourne, Australia, January 16, 2022. Reuters

Three Federal Court judges will decide the fate of the world No 1 after a rollercoaster 10 days that saw him detained by immigration authorities, released and then detained again ahead of a tournament that starts on Monday. Reuters

Supporters of Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic gather outside the offices of Djokovic's legal team, as they listen to an audio court hearing. Getty Images

Supporters of tennis player Novak Djokovic wave national flags as they gather in front of Federal Court building in Melbourne. AFP

Goran Zabic, a Serbian supporter of tennis player Novak Djokovic, arrives in front of the office of Djokovic's lawyers on January 16, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. Getty Images

Supporters of Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic hold their flags outside the Federal Court building in Melbourne. AP Photo

Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic departs the Park Hotel while under immigration detention, to convene with his legal team. Reuters

Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic is photographed as he is transported from an Immigration Hotel in Melbourne. EPA

The Serb, 34, was escorted to his lawyers office by immigration officials to attend the virtual court hearing on Sunday morning, having spent Saturday night back in an immigration detention hotel in Melbourne. Getty Images

Media attempt to photograph Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic as he is transported from an Immigration Hotel in Melbourne, Australia. EPA

Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic departs the Park Hotel while under immigration detention. Reuters

Supporters of Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic gather outside the offices of Djokovic's legal team on January 16, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. Djokovic lost his attempt to overturn his deportation with the judges ruling unanimously to uphold the Australian government decision to cancel his visa. Getty Images

Members of the media wait outside the car park of the office of the legal team of Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic. Getty Images

Supporters of Novak Djokovic hold national flags as they gather in front of Federal Court building . AFP

Latest: Novak Djokovic set to board flight to Dubai after losing Australian visa appeal

Novak Djokovic said he was disappointed that a court on Sunday dismissed his challenge to a deportation order and accepted his hopes of defending his Australian Open title were over.

The world No 1 released a statement shortly after three Federal Court judges unanimously upheld a decision made on Friday by Immigration Minister Alex Hawke to cancel the 34-year-old Serb’s visa on public interest grounds because he is not vaccinated against Covid-19.

“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.

“I respect the Court’s ruling and I will cooperate with the relevant authorities in relation to my departure from the country,” he added.

Djokovic said he was “uncomfortable” that the focus had been on him since his visa was first cancelled on arrival at Mebourne's airport on January 6.

“I hope that we can all now focus on the game and tournament I love,” he said.

Novak Djokovic plays a backhand during a practice session ahead of the 2022 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 14, 2022. Getty Images

Novak Djokovic plays a forehand during a practice session ahead of the 2022 Australian Open at Melbourne Park. Getty Images

Novak Djokovic looks on during a practice session ahead of the 2022 Australian Open at Melbourne Park. Getty Images

Novak Djokovic during a practice session ahead of the 2022 Australian Open at Melbourne Park. Getty Images

Novak Djokovic plays a backhand during a practice session ahead of the 2022 Australian Open at Melbourne Park. Getty Images

Novak Djokovic plays a backhand during a practice session ahead of the 2022 Australian Open at Melbourne Park. Getty Images

Novak Djokovic plays a backhand during a practice session ahead of the 2022 Australian Open at Melbourne Park. Getty Images

Novak Djokovic during a practice session ahead of the 2022 Australian Open at Melbourne Park. Getty Images

Novak Djokovic plays a forehand during a practice session ahead of the 2022 Australian Open at Melbourne Park. Getty Images

Novak Djokovic plays a backhand during a practice session ahead of the 2022 Australian Open at Melbourne Park. Getty Images

Novak Djokovic in action during a practice session ahead of the 2022 Australian Open at Melbourne Park. Getty Images

Novak Djokovic serves during a practice session ahead of the 2022 Australian Open at Melbourne Park. Getty Images

Novak Djokov hits a serve during a practice session ahead of the 2022 Australian Open at Melbourne Park. Getty Images

Novak Djokov hits a serve during a practice session ahead of the 2022 Australian Open at Melbourne Park. Getty Images

The decision likely means that Djokovic, who is not vaccinated against Covid-19, will remain in detention in Melbourne until he is deported.

Deportation usually occurs as soon as possible after an order unless prevented by court action. The government has not said when Djokovic will leave.

A deportation order usually also includes a three-year ban on returning to Australia.

Chief Justice James Allsop said the ruling came down to whether the minister's decision was "irrational or legally unreasonable.”

Hawke welcomed the decision, saying: “Australia’s strong border protection policies have kept us safe during the pandemic, resulting in one of the lowest death rates, strongest economic recoveries, and highest vaccination rates in the world.

“Strong border protection policies are also fundamental to safe-guarding Australia’s social cohesion which continues to strengthen despite the pandemic,” he added.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia takes a break during a practice session ahead of the Australian Open at the Melbourne Park tennis centre in Melbourne on January 12, 2022. AFP

Novak Djokovic and coach Goran Ivanisevic. EPA

Defending men's champion Serbia's Novak Djokovic practices on Rod Laver Arena ahead of the Australian Open, which begins on January 12. AP Photo

Serbia's Novak Djokovic practices on Rod Laver Arena. AP Photo

Novak Djokovic of Serbia is watched by coach Goran Ivanisevic. AFP

Novak Djokovic of Serbia is seen in action during a training session at Melbourne Park. EPA

Novak Djokovic hits a return during a practice session ahead of the Australian Open at the Melbourne Park tennis centre in Melbourne. AFP

Novak Djokovic of Serbia. EPA

Novak Djokovic hits a return. EPA

Novak Djokovic returns a backhand. EPA

Novak Djokovic, left, listens to his coach Goran Ivanisevic. AP Photo

Novak Djokovic rests during a practice session on Rod Laver Arena. AP Photo

Defending Australian Open men's champion Novak Djokovic. AP Photo

Serbia's Novak Djokovic takes a drink during a practice session on Rod Laver Arena. AP Photo

Novak Djokovic of Serbia is seen during a training session at Melbourne Park. EPA

Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic practices at Melbourne Park as questions remain over the legal battle regarding his visa to play in the Australian Open in Melbourne. Reuters

Novak Djokovic of Serbia is seen during a practice session ahead of the 2022 Australian Open at Melbourne Park. Getty Images

Djokovic could potentially appeal to the High Court, but not in time for him to compete in the Australian Open, which begins Monday.

“I will now be taking some time to rest and to recuperate, before making any further comments beyond this,” he said.

The court process that Djokovic had hoped would keep his aspirations alive for a 21st Grand Slam title was extraordinarily fast by Australian standards.

Within three hours of Hawke's announcement on Friday afternoon that Djokovic's visa was canceled, his lawyers went before a Federal Circuit and Family Court judge to initiate their challenge to the decision. The case was elevated to the Federal Court on Saturday and submissions were filed by both sides that same day.

The three judges heard the case over five hours on Sunday and announced their verdict two hours later.

Djokovic, 34, has won the Australian Open the past three years and was a strong favourite to claim a record-extending 10th Melbourne Park crown.

The top seed was set to face Miomir Kecmanovic in his opening match at Rod Laver Arena on Monday.

Novak Djokovic in action during a training session at Melbourne Park on Thursday before a decision from immigration minister Alex Hawke over whether he can play in the Australian Open. EPA

Novak Djokovic in action during a training session. EPA

Novak Djokovic in training. EPA

Defending men's champion Serbia's Novak Djokovic rests during a practice session on Margaret Court Arena ahead of the Australian Open tennis championship. AP

Novak Djokovic takes a break. AP

Novak Djokovic practices on Margaret Court Arena. AP

Novak Djokovic practices at Melbourne Park. Reuters

Novak Djokovic shakes hands with Argentina's Federico Coria following a practice session. AP

Defending Novak Djokovic practices on Margaret Court Arena. AP

Novak Djokovic plays a forehand during a practice session. Getty

Tennis Australia had no immediate comment on the star player's legal defeat.

Hawke cancelled the visa on the grounds that Djokovic’s presence in Australia may be a risk to the health and “good order” of the Australian public and “may be counterproductive to efforts at vaccination by others in Australia.”

Djokovic’s visa was initially cancelled on January 6 at Melbourne’s airport hours after he arrived to compete in the first Grand Slam of 2022.

A border official cancelled his visa after deciding Djokovic didn’t qualify for a medical exemption from Australia’s rules for unvaccinated visitors.

After spending four days in an immigration detention centre, Djokovic, 34, won his appeal after the court quashed the revocation before it was cancelled a second time on Friday.

Members of the Serbian community march in Melbourne, Australia. Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic was to be released from an immigration detention center in Melbourne after an order by the Federal Circuit Court. The tennis world number one had been staying in a hotel-turned-detention center after his visa was revoked upon landing in Australia. EPA

A member of the press lies on the ground after sustaining an injury during clashes between the Serbian Community and Victorian Police officers in Melbourne, Australia. Djokovic was to be released from an immigration detention center in Melbourne after an order by the Federal Circuit Court. The tennis world number one had been staying in a hotel-turned-detention center after his visa was revoked upon landing in Australia. EPA

Members of the local Serbian community play music and dance outside the legal offices where Serbia's tennis champion Novak Djokovic is in with his legal team in Melbourne. AFP

Members of the local Serbian community play music and dance outside the legal offices where Serbia's tennis champion Novak Djokovic is in with his legal team in Melbourne. AFP

Members of the local Serbian community play music and dance outside the legal offices where Serbia's tennis champion Novak Djokovic is in with his legal team in Melbourne on January 9, 2022. (Photo by William WEST / AFP)

Members of the Serbian community march in Melbourne, Australia. Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic was to be released from an immigration detention center in Melbourne after an order by the Federal Circuit Court. The tennis world number one had been staying in a hotel-turned-detention center after his visa was revoked upon landing in Australia. EPA

Members of the local Serbian community play music and dance outside the legal offices where Serbia's tennis champion Novak Djokovic is in with his legal team in Melbourne. AFP

epa09677057 Members of the Serbian community march in Melbourne, Australia. Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic was to be released from an immigration detention center in Melbourne after an order by the Federal Circuit Court. The tennis world number one had been staying in a hotel-turned-detention center after his visa was revoked upon landing in Australia. EPA

epa09677043 Members of the Serbian community taunt Victorian Police officers after Novak Djokovic was allegedly taken away in a vechile from his lawyer's office in Melbourne. Djokovic was to be released from an immigration detention center in Melbourne after an order by the Federal Circuit Court. The tennis world number one had been staying in a hotel-turned-detention center after his visa was revoked upon landing in Australia. EPA