TENNIS superstar Novak Djokovic flew out of Australia yesterday after a court upheld the government’s decision to cancel his visa, capping days of drama over the country’s COVID-19 entry rules and his unvaccinated status. Three Federal Court judges upheld a decision to revoke the unvaccinated tennis star’s visa on public interest grounds, meaning he cannot defend his Australian Open title. In a statement following the decision, Djokovic said he was “extremely disappointed with the ruling” and he would be “taking some time to rest and to recuperate.” “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,” he added. The full reasons behind the judges’ unanimous ruling will be published in the “coming days”, with Djokovic also ordered to pay the government’s court costs. He now faces a three-year ban on returning to the country, with the ruling coming a day before the start of the Australian Open. Djokovic’s visa was revoked for a second time Friday after immigration minister Alex Hawke said the Serbian’s presence in Australia posed a public health risk. He argued that Djokovic risked whipping up anti-vaccination sentiment and causing civil unrest during Australia’s worst outbreak of COVID-19 since the pandemic began. Following yesterday’s hearing, Hawke said he welcomed the ruling to uphold his decision to cancel Djokovic’s visa “in the public interest.” “Australians have made great sacrifices to get to this point and the Morrison government is firmly committed to protecting this position, as the Australian people expect,” he added. In making the decision to revoke Djokovic’s visa, Hawke had cited comments made by the player in April 2020 when he said he was “opposed to vaccination.” But at yesterday’s appeal hearing, the tennis star’s lawyer, Nick Wood, said the minister was relying on “historic views” and that Djokovic’s current opinions had not been sought. The court saga follows the controversial decision to grant Djokovic an exemption from COVID vaccination requirements to play at the Australian Open. Lawyers for the world number one player had said a coronavirus infection last month meant he could legally enter the country. Djokovic first had his visa revoked on arrival in Melbourne, but he won a court appeal against that cancellation which allowed him to remain in Australia. Following the second cancellation of his visa, Djokovic had returned to the immigration hotel in Melbourne where he spent four nights last week. Following yesterday’s court ruling, there was the possibility of a further legal challenge but it was confirmed half an hour after the decision that Djokovic was not seeking that option. There has been criticism of the way the Australian government has handled the situation but public opinion has been firmly in favor of Djokovic being sent home. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has hit out at the Australian Government, accusing it of “harassing” and “maltreating” Djokovic, and asking whether it is trying to score political points ahead of upcoming elections. Djokovic was due to play his first-round match today. (SD-Agencies) | 