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Novak Djokovic Loses Battle to Play in Australian Open

Novak Djokovic/Facebook

Tennis star boards plane for Dubai

Djokovic left Australia after three Australian Federal Court judges upheld the cancellation of his visa, meaning he won't be able to defend his Australian Open title.

He says he is extremely disappointed, but will respect the court's ruling.

Djokovic's visa was initially cancelled on January 6th, hours after he arrived to compete in the first Grand Slam of 2022, after a border official decided Djokovic didn't qualify for a medical exemption from Australia's rules for unvaccinated visitors.

That move had been overturned by a court on procedural grounds before Immigration Minister Alex Hawke personally blocked Djokovic's visa on the grounds his presence in Australia may be a risk to the health and ``good order'' of the Australian public. 

The world No. 1 had been scheduled to play in the Open tomorrow night, where he had hoped to win a record-breaking 21st men's grand slam title.

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