NOVAK DJOKOVIC has flown back to Serbia via Dubai after being DEPORTED from Australia.
And the French Open could soon follow suit, after French MPs backed the vaccine pass law.
An Australian court confirmed that the decision immigration minister Alex Hawke made to cancel the Serb's visa was legal. It added that it will publish its reasons in the coming days.
Meanwhile Djokovic's old foe Nick Kyrgios launched a surprising defence of the nine-time Aussie Open champ, laying into rival Rafael Nadal for failing to stick up for him.
He said: "It p***** me off how Tsitsipas and Nadal are like… everybody's got their opinion and I understand that Nadal and Tsitsipas have to speak out about it when they get asked.
"But we're only treating him like Novak Djokovic, not like a human now. "
"Imagine how he's feeling. He probably just wants a bit of support from other players. He's getting it from me, like, what the f***!"
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- Joshua Jones
Latest Novak Djokovic saga news
Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic says the decision to deport Novak Djokovic from Australia is ‘shameful’.
Matic is one of a number of Serbian sports stars to speak out in support of their compatriot, who was sent home after a Covid vaccination row.
Red Devils ace Matic posted an Instagram picture of Djokovic proudly holding the ATP Finals trophy, and captioned it: “Your glory and their shame will live forever.”
And it looks like France’s government is doing the Hokey Cokey when it comes to Djok playing at their flagship tennis event in May.
Last week France’s sports minister Roxana Maracineau suggested the under-fire Serb would be allowed to compete at this year’s French Open.
But it seems that after further discussions, the French have decided to take a harder line and introduce a ‘vaccine pass’ system.
So unless the world No1 gets the jab – or the powers that be have another change of heart – he may be watching the action at Roland Garros on the telly.
And the star’s chance to defend his Wimbledon title is in doubt, according to The Telegraph.
Their report says: “The UK Government position remained unchanged on Monday but the Daily Telegraph has been told that did not mean Djokovic’s Wimbledon title defence was assured.”
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Ghost of Djok Down Under
A report in the Guardian has summed up perfectly the atmosphere as play got underway at the Novak Djokovic-less Australian Open.
After the world No 1 was told he would not be able to defend his title because he was being deported, Emma Kemp at Melbourne Park writes: "He was nowhere and he was everywhere.
"Etched into the pavement and lingering in the air, each fragile fragment of an atmosphere carrying resentment and relief and quite a bit in between."
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Djokovic's Wimbledon defence in doubt
Novak Djokovic's chance to defend his Wimbledon title is in doubt, according to The Telegraph.
Fresh from being denied the chance to defend his Australian Open crown due to a Covid vaccine row, it has been releveled the Serb may now also miss out on an appearance at SW19 in June.
The Telegraph says: "The UK Government position remained unchanged on Monday but the Daily Telegraph has been told that did not mean Djokovic’s Wimbledon title defence was assured."
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Serb tennis duo back Djokovic
Serbian tennis stars Laslo Djere and Dusan Lajovic added their support to Novak Djokovic following his deportation from Australia.
Lajovic called it 'terribly wrong' while Djere labeled it a 'catastrophic situation'.
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Matic blasts Aussies over Djok
Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic says the decision to deport Novak Djokovic from Australia is ‘shameful’.
Matic is one of a number of Serbian sports stars to speak out in support of their compatriot.
The Red Devils ace posted a picture of Djokovic proudly holding the ATP Finals trophy on Instagram, and captioned it: “Your glory and their shame will live forever.”
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Will Aussie approach set trend?
Once the dust settles on Novak Djokovic's ill-fated Australian Open campaign this month, how will the other Grand Slam chiefs handle the thorny issue of non-vaccinated tennis stars?
Along with Djok, Czech doubles star Renata Voracova saw her visa cancelled by the Australian authorities after travelling there to play in the annual event Down Under – and for similar Covid-related reasons.
It all begs the question as to how the various officials in France, England and America will approach the great un-jabbed at their flagship tennis events in 2022.
First up is the French Open in May, then Wimbledon in June, and finally the US Open in late August.
As with all things in this rapidly-moving Covid world, we will have to wait and see who is allowed to compete at those events.
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Djokovic sponsors Lacoste release statement
One of Novak Djokovic's sponsors, Lacoste, have said they want to talk to him about his deportation from Australia.
In a statement, the French clothing manufacturer, said: “As soon as possible, we will be in touch with Novak Djokovic to review the events that have accompanied his presence in Australia.”
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French Open 'u-turn' for Djok
It looks like France's government is doing the Hokey Cokey when it comes to Novak Djokovic playing at their flagship tennis event.
Last week France's sports minister Roxana Maracineau suggested the under-fire Serb would be allowed to compete at this year's French Open.
But it seems that after further discussions, the French Government have decided to take a harder line and introduce a 'vaccine pass' system.
So unless the world No 1 gets the jab – or the powers that be have another change of heart – Djok may be watching the action at Roland Garros on the telly.
- Kostas Lianos
'Great injustice'
Serbia's Olympic Committee has described Novak Djokovic's deportation as a "great injustice".
A statement read: "We are proud of Novak Djokovic and the way he coped with these extremely difficult and unpleasant circumstances.
"Despite this scandalous decision, we believe Novak came out as the winner again"
GETTY IMAGES
- Kostas Lianos
Zverev criticism
Alexander Zverev expressed some criticism regarding the way the Australian government handled the Novak Djokovic debacle.
Zverev said: "The Australian government should have been clear beforehand on what was going to happen.
"It's not very fair for a person to come here and not be able to play.
"l will never say a bad word about Novak Djokovic in my life. It would be good for tennis if he plays in Melbourne"
- Kostas Lianos
Medvedev support expressed
Daniil Medvedev, who lost to Novak Djokovic in the 2021 Australian Open final, threw his support behind his friend.
Medvedev said: "From what I know, again, if he has a valid exemption to be in this country and to do what he wants, then he should play.
"If the exemption is not valid or something else is not valid, well, any country can deny your entry"
- Kostas Lianos
Kyrgios reaction
Nick Kyrgios blasted his fellow tennis stars for not giving Novak Djokovic support as divisions arise within the sport.]Kyrgios said: "
Kyrgios said: "Hawke said that he’s a threat to our borders. Ahh, no he’s not. It’s like he’s a weapon of mass destruction at the moment. He’s here to play tennis, he’s not doing anything to anyone.
"Mistreatment of people in Melbourne has been atrocious in the last two years. I understand the anger towards him for not being vaccinated and getting a medical exemption, but if you look at it at face value, he’s got his paperwork.
"Novak has reached out to me personally on IG saying, 'Thank you for standing up for me.' I was not the one he was expecting to go out in the media and have his back.
"As a human, he’s obviously feeling quite alienated in all of this. As a human, that’s a dangerous place to be in – when you feel like the world is against you, like you can’t do anything right.
"On a human level, he needs support from other players. Tsitispas, I get you have your views on vaccination. Murray, we can always count on to say the right thing, Nadal whatever… But bro, where is your support for the guy?
"Imagine how he’s feeling, he probably wants a little bit of support from other players. And he’s getting it from me, what the f***?"
- Kostas Lianos
Djokovic welcomed back
Novak Djokovic has arrived home in Serbia and received a hero's welcome after being kicked out of Australia in a visa row
Djokovic posed for selfies with fans at Belgrade airport after being deported.
Fans chanted, "You are our champion, Novak!", with some waving national flags outside the airport.
Having fallen foul of the country’s strict Migration Act, tennis' World No1 will not be allowed back in Australia for three years "except in certain circumstances"
GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
Djokovic distraction
Emma Raducanu believes the Novak Djokovic saga has been a distraction from the real tennis ahead of the Australia Open.
Raducanu said: "I feel like the situation has taken away a little bit from the great tennis that’s been happening over this summer in Australia.
“For example, Andy Murray is in the final, which I think is pretty incredible”
- Kostas Lianos
Djokovic statement after deportation
Novak Djokovic is "extremely disappointed" after the decision to cancel his visa.
Djokovic said: "I'd 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 to 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"
- Kostas Lianos
Lineker joke
Gary Lineker shared a little quip after it was announced that Novak Djokovic won't be competing in this year's Australian open.
Djokovic was deported from Australia due to COVID-related restrictions and flew back to Serbia.
Lineker tweeted: "Game, Set and Dispatch"
- Kostas Lianos
Australian PM reacts
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison 'welcomes' the verdict from the judges.
Morrison said: "This cancellation decision was made on health, safety and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so.
"I welcome the decision to keep our borders strong and keep Australians safe"
GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
ATP react to Djokovic
The ATP released a strongly-worded statement about the 'deeply regrettable' situation regarding Novak Djokovic's deportation.
The statement read: "Today's decision to uphold Novak Djokovic’s Australian visa cancellation marks the end of a deeply regrettable series of events.
"Ultimately, decisions of legal authorities regarding matters of public health must be respected.
"More time is required to take stock of the facts and to take the learnings from this situation"
- Kostas Lianos
Isner backs Djokovic
John Isner supported Novak Djokovic following his deportation from Australia.
Isner tweeted: "Nole always has and always will be class.
"He’s an absolute legend in my book that has brought so much good to millions around the world.
"This isn’t right"
- Kostas Lianos
Djokovic father reacts
Novak Djokovic's father Srdjan has labelled his son's deportation from Australia as an 'assassination attempt'.
Srdjan said: "The attempt to assassinate the best athlete in the world has ended.
"50 bullets in Novak's chest.
"See you in Paris"
- Kostas Lianos
Djokovic arrives in Dubai
Novak Djokovic stopped in Dubai to change flights for Serbia after being deported from Australia.
Djokovic was kicked out due to coronavirus-related issues.
That means the tennis World No1 will not compete in the Australia Open
Credit: AP Credit: AFP
- Kostas Lianos
Not just Djokovic's fault
Rafael Nadal said Novak Djokovic was not the only party at fault for the "terrible situation we faced for the last two weeks" and that others must share the responsibility.
"I think the situation has been a mess," added the Spaniard, who would have met Djokovic in the semi-finals if the draw went with seeding.
"Hes not the only one that did probably the things bad in that case.
"So on a personal level, yes, I would like to see him playing here.
"If it's fair or not that hes playing here is another discussion that I don't want to talk anymore about that"
- Kostas Lianos
Nadal reacts to Djokovic deportation
Rafa Nadal is taking no pleasure from the absence of great rival Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open, even if it means he has a clearer shot at the Grand Slam title record.
Level on 20 Grand Slam titles with Djokovic and Roger Federer, the Spanish great said it would be "better for everyone" if the Serb was competing at Melbourne Park.
"The ideal situation in the world of sport [is] that the best players are on court and playing the most important events, without a doubt," Nadal told reporters on Monday after trouncing American Marcos Giron 6-1 6-4 6-2 to sail into the second round.
"If Novak Djokovic is playing here, it's better for everybody, no doubt about that"
- Kostas Lianos
Hawke issues announcement
Australia's Immigration Minister Alex Hawke has released a lengthy statement following Novak Djokovic's deportation.
Hawke welcomed the court's decision and confirmed that Djokovic has left the country.
He tweeted: "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.
"I can confirm that Mr Djokovic has now departed Australia"
- Kostas Lianos
Djokovic could lose No1 status
Novak Djokovic could drop 2,000 ranking points by being excluded from the Australian Open.
If either Daniil Medvedev or Alexander Zverev, ranked No2 and No3 respectively, win the tournament they will overtake Djokovic.
That would be a major blow for tennis' world No1 who has been top of the rankings since 20 January, 2020.
The Serbian star was deported from Australia over Covid-related issues
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