Novak Djokovic airport video: World No.1 lands in Dubai but refuses to answer visa question

Novak Djokovic was all smiles walking through Dubai airport, stopping to pose for several fan selfies. But the tennis star wasn’t as accommodating when asked about his deportation. WATCH THE VIDEO

Novak Djokovic. Picture: AFP Images

Novak Djokovic has landed in Dubai, posing for selfies with fans as he exited his flight.

The Serbian smiled as he carried his tennis bag from the plane - which landed at 5:32 am local time (0130 GMT) - and his passport in hand, asking fellow travellers “how are you?” as they caught a glimpse of the world No. 1.

The 14-hour flight didn’t appear to have taken its toll on the 34-year-old, who could be forgiven for being exhausted following his 12-day battle with Australian authorities.

He was flanked by coach Goran Ivanisevic and other members of his team and was asked how he felt about his three-year ban from Australia but he refused to answer.

JUST IN: Deported tennis star #NovakDjokovic met by supporters as he arrives at #Dubai airport in the #UAE. #AusOpenpic.twitter.com/nlEHzuNlfH

— Dan Murphy (@dan_murphy) January 17, 2022

Djokovic’s next destination remains unknown, with the star’s property portfolio spanning a number of countries.

It is considered likely that he would return to Spain, where he first travelled to Australia from after training in Marbella.

Djokovic spent Sunday night (AEDT) flanked by an Australian Border Force escort at Melbourne Airport before departing for Dubai at 10.30pm on an Emirates flight.

Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic walks with his team after landing at Dubai Airport Picture: Reuters

The Federal Circuit Court ordered Djokovic be deported from the country following a marathon visa battle with the federal government. Djokovic was ordered to pay costs.

The decision ended his hopes of defending his Australian Open title and the chance to win a historic 21st grand slam - a feat that would have taken him past Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on the men’s all-time majors list.

Serbia's tennis champion Novak Djokovic disembarks from a plane at the airport in Dubai. Picture: AFP

Djokovic under police guard in Melbourne Airport lounge as he's escorted out of the country. Picture: Facebook

Novak Djokovic (centre) with his entourage at Melbourne Airport for flight back to Europe. Picture: Shane McInnes/Twitter

Earlier, Djokovic released a statement expressing his regret for the saga overshadowing the lead up the Australian Open and thanking his supporters.

“I would like to make a brief statement to address the outcomes of today’s Court hearing. I will now be taking some time to rest and to recuperate, before making any further comments beyond this,” the statement reads. “I am 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.

“I respect the Court’s ruling and I will cooperate with the relevant authorities in relation to my departure from the country.

#BREAKING Footage of Novak #Djokovic inside @Melair as he's being deported and boarding a flight to Dubai. I'm told he was the first on board and turned left when we got on. There were cheers in terminal.@10NewsFirst@10NewsFirstMelb#springst#auspolpic.twitter.com/Q5xfD14a58

— Simon Love (@SimoLove) January 16, 2022

“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.

“Finally, I would like to thank my family, friends, team, supporters, fans and my fellow Serbians for your continued support. You have all been a great source of strength to me.

Minister Hawke celebrated the Federal Court’s unanimous decision to uphold his determination to cancel Djokovic’s visa, citing Australia’s strong border protection policies during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I welcome today’s unanimous decision by the Full Federal Court of Australia, upholding my decision to exercise my power under the Migration Act to cancel Mr Novak Djokovic’s visa in the public interest,” the statement from the Immigration Minister reads. “Australia’s strong border protection policies have kept us safe during the pandemic, resulting in one of the lowest death rates, strongest economic recoveries, and highest vaccination rates in the world. “Strong border protection policies are also fundamental to safe-guarding Australia’s social cohesion which continues to strengthen despite the pandemic.

“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.”

The decision is expected to create waves worldwide and stoke fresh anger by anti-vaccination groups which view Djokovic as a leader of freedom.

Serbia President Aleksandar Vucic hit out at the ruling to deny Djokovic a visa, unloading on the lead prosecutor and the Australian goverment.

President Vucic didn’t hold back in his assessment of how the whole saga played out, accusing the Australian government of political posteruring ahead of the election.

Immigration Minister Alex Hawke. Picture: Martin Ollman

Serbia President Aleksandar Vucic. Picture: Jure Makovec/AFP

“Those who think they have expelled some principles have shown that they have no principles,” Vucic said. “They mistreated one tennis player for 10 days in order to hand him the decision that they knew from the first day that he would serve it.”

“Then the harassment started, the witch hunt against one person and the country at Novak, they wanted to show how the world order works and how they can do against everyone.

“He (the prosecutor) said that vaccination is below 50 percent in Serbia. First of all, don’t lie, 58 percent have been officially vaccinated, which is more than 62 percent, having in mind the real number of people living in Serbia. In Serbia, the vaccination rate is higher than in many EU countries, especially in the environment such as Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, and even Estonia. It was a meaningless argument, but in Orwell’s plays, anything is possible.

“We will not live up to them for the sake of elections, to show strength.

Chief Justice Allsop declared the decision to boot Djokovic was unanimous across the full bench.

Novak Djokovic won’t defend his Australian Open title in 2022. Picture: Greg Wood/AFP

“This is not an appeal against the decision of the executive government,” he told the court.

“It is an application to the court as a separate arm of government being the Commonwealth judicial branch to review a decision by a member of executive, the Minister, for the lawfulness or legality of the decision on the three grounds put forward.

“These grounds focus on whether decision was for different reasons irrational or legally unreasonable. It is no part or function of the court to decide upon the merit or wisdom of the decision.”

WHAT DJOKOVIC RULING MEANS FOR AUS OPEN DRAW

The ruling means Djokovic could be absent from the next three Australian Open tournaments unless the ban is reviewed and waived.

Tennis Australia, who was at the centre of the Djokovic drama from the beginning, released a short statement folloing the decision: “Tennis Australia respects the decision of the Federal Court.”

“As per Grand Slam rules the No.1 position in the draw has been filled by a Lucky Loser. The updated schedule for Monday 17 January can be viewed here.

“We look forward to a competitive and exciting Australian Open 2022 and wish all players the best of luck.”

Earlier, the Djokovic faithful outside Federal Court fell into a shocked silence after huddling to watch a livestream of the verdict.

The crowd danced and sang, waving flags and holding signs as they demanded the Australian Government “free Nole” just moments before moving in to hear the court broadcast the decision at 5.55pm.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC COVID SAGA TIMELINE

2020

APRIL

Djokovic makes clear his stance that he’s publicly opposed to vaccination, and “wouldn’t want to be forced by someone to take a vaccine in order to be able to travel”.

JUNE

He’s roundly criticised for organising his own tournament, the Adria Tour – which is cut short when he and other players,  including Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev, test positive to Covid-19.

2021

OCTOBER

Victorian authorities confirm that all professional athletes must be double-vaccinated to gain entry into Australia.

DECEMBER

December 10

The deadline for a medical exemption to be submitted to Tennis Australia passes.

December 14

Djokovic attends a basketball match in Belgrade where numerous people subsequently test positive for Covid-19.

December 16

An important day. Djokovic claims to test negative on a Rapid Antigen Test, while also taking a PCR test – the results of which are reportedly returned at 8.19pm. Under Serbian rules, Djokovic’s 14-day self-isolation begins. Earlier, he attends an event to launch a new stamp with his picture on it.

December 17

Djokovic is pictured at an awards ceremony at the Novak Tennis Academy in Belgrade, where he mingles with children. An asymptomatic Djokovic says he returned a negative RAT test prior to the event, and didn’t learn of his positive PCR test result until later.

December 18

Conducts a 33-minute interview with French newspaper L'Equipe in Belgrade, posing maskless in a photoshoot – a decision he says as “an error in judgment”. Returns home to complete the required isolation. Later, Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic says if Djokovic attended events while positive he had “clearly violated the rules”.

December 22

Returns a negative Covid-19 PCR test in Belgrade.

December 25

Having cleared isolation following his negative test, Djokovic is filmed pictured separately with handball player Petar Djordjic in Belgrade.

December 30

Djokovic is granted permission by Tennis Australia to play the Australian Open

December 31

Djokovic is spotted training on hardcourts in Marbella, Spain, in a clue that he’s deep in preparations for the Australian Open.

2022

January 1

Djokovic’s Australian Travel Declaration is completed – by his agent, he later claims. In it, he declares he’s had no travel in the prior 14 days and that he is unvaccinated against Covid-19 but has a medical exemption.

January 4

Reveals on Instagram he has received "exemption permission" to enter Australia.

January 6

Arrives in Melbourne and is sensationally detained and interviewed by border officials, with his visa cancelled.

January 10

Djokovic has a huge win in Federal Court, winning his appeal against deportation with Judge Kelly throwing out Djokovic’s visa cancellation. Later, he enjoys a midnight training session at Rod Laver Arena. Meanwhile, a press conference with Djokovic’s family comes to a sudden end after they refuse to clarify Djokovic’s movements in relation to his December 16 positive result.

January 11

A free man, Djokovic takes to Rod Laver Arena for a closed practice session.

January 12

Djokovic moves to dispel ‘misinformation’ in a lengthy Instagram post as his legal team provides further evidence to support his case – prompting another 24-hour delay in decision-making by Immigration Minister Alex Hawke.

January 14

Djokovic has his visa cancelled for a second time, as Immigration Minister Alex Hawke invoked his discretionary powers. Djokovic launches appeal.

January 16

Djokovic's appeal to Immigration Minister Alex Hawke's decision to cancel the Serbia star's Australian visa is upheld. The world no.1 is deported and leaves the country on a plane to Dubai.

Originally published as Novak Djokovic airport video: World No.1 lands in Dubai but refuses to answer visa question