Tennis star Novak Djokovic released a statement shortly after a federal court rejected his appeal against deportation ahead of the Australian Open. The court decision meant Djokovic would miss the Australian Open, which he won last year.
Djokovic said he was “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”.
However, he declared that he would cooperate with the government. “I respect the Court’s ruling and I will cooperate with the relevant authorities in relation to my departure from the country,” he said.
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He also called on people to focus on the Australian Open and leave behind the controversy over his deportation saga. “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,” Djokovic said.
Meanwhile, Djokovic has been replaced in the Australian Open by Italian Salvatore Caruso. Caruso, ranked 150th on the ATP Tour, has entered the tournament as a 'lucky loser'.
