Melbourne, Jan 16 (Agency) World no.1 tennis player Novak Djokovic has been deported from Australia after losing a legal battle to stay in the country on Sunday. The Serbian had appealed against the Australian government’s decision to cancel his visa for a second time. Djokovic left on a flight to Dubai, BBC reported. An “extremely disappointed” Djokovic in a statement said that he respects the ruling, which crushed his dream of clinching a record 21st Grand Slam at the Australian Open which begins on January 17. The exit of Djokovic from the country marks the end of a 10-day battle between him and the government. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison welcomed “the decision to keep our borders strong and keep Australians safe”. In a statement shared on Twitter, Australian Open said, “Tennis Australia respects the decision of the Federal Court. As per Grand Slam rules, the No.1 position in the draw has been filled by a Lucky Loser.”
The 34-year-old Serbian had launched a case after Immigration Minister Alex Hawke used his ministerial powers to cancel Djokovic’s visa. Chief Justice James Allsop said the court’s ruling to uphold the immigration minister’s decision to revoke Djokovic’s visa was unanimous, CNN reported. “These grounds focus on whether the decision was for different reasons irrational or legally unreasonable. It is no part of the function of the court to decide upon the merits or wisdom of the decision,” said Allsop as quoted by CNN. The Serbian was included in the Australian Open draw despite uncertainties over the defending champion’s stay in the country on January 13. Djokovic’s visa was first cancelled on January 6. He was denied entry in Australia after the he failed to meet the entry rules. He also spent days in the immigration detention. Later on January 10, the tennis ace won the bid to remain in Australia after the judge ordered his immediate release from the immigration detention.