Tennis champion Novak Djokovic deported from Australia

Serbian tennis champion Novak Djokovic has been deported from Australia after losing an appeal to stay in the country. Australia canceled the visa of the world No. 1 tennis player on health and public order grounds.

A masked Djokovic was photographed in a Melbourne airport lounge with two government officials in black uniforms before he left for Dubai. It’s not clear where he will go from there. Djokovic is from Serbia, but also has residences in Marbella, Spain and Monaco.

He has the spent the last 10 days in Melbourne, some of which was in the Park Hotel, which is used for detention purposes. The 34-year-old said he was “extremely disappointed” by a court’s decision Sunday that led to his deportation. But he added that he respected the ruling and would cooperate with authorities.

While a court initially ruled Djokovic could stay, Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke, who has wide powers, decided to deport him. Three Federal Court judges unanimously upheld the immigration minister’s decision. Djokovic said he was “uncomfortable” that the focus had been on him since his visa was first canceled on Jan. 6.

“I hope that we can all now focus on the game and tournament I love,” he said. “I will now be taking some time to rest and to recuperate, before making any further comments beyond this.”

The decision ceases Djokovic’s hopes of winning a record 21st Grand Slam title. He is currently tied with rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for the most Grand Slam singles trophies in men’s tennis.

Serbia’s Olympic Committee has described the deportation of the tennis star as a “great injustice”. In a statement, it said he is “our winner”. “We are proud of Novak Djokovic and the way he coped with these extremely difficult and unpleasant circumstances. Despite this scandalous decision, we believe Novak came out as the winner again,” the committee said.

Tracking site FlightRadar confirmed that Djokovic’s flight from Melbourne to Dubai was the most tracked flight during its time in the air.