Novak Djokovic Deported

Novak Djokovic’s hopes of defending his Australian Open title are over after a court in Australia upheld the decision to cancel his visa.

The men’s world number one had been waiting since Monday when the original decision to cancel his visa to enter the country was quashed. Immigration minister Alex Hawke on Friday exercised his personal powers to cancel it for a second time “on health and good order grounds” before a Federal Court hearing on Sunday decided his fate.

Chief Justice Allsop spoke to initially confirm the unusual move had been made to allow court proceedings to be recorded. He then revealed a “unanimous decision” had been reached. “The orders of the court are, one: the amended application to be dismissed,” Judge Allsop said, adding that Djokovic must pick up the bill for both sides’ legal costs. “Two: reasons to be published at a later date.”

There could be further legal wrangling to come, but the decision means Djokovic faces a three-year ban from Australia, which typically accompanies a deportation ruling. Djokovic is currently staying under detention at the Park hotel in Melbourne and is now set to fly back to Europe.