Novak Djokovic reaches Dubai after deportation from Australia

Dubai : Tennis number 1 Novak Djokovic landed in Dubai after his sensational deportation from Australia over his coronavirus vaccine status.

As the Australian Open started, he was stepping onto a plane with two bags and wearing a mask; his final destination was not known.

Djokovic said he was extremely disappointed with Federal Court’s decision to suspend his visa.

The humbled star boarded a flight from Melbourne's Tullamarine airport for Dubai late Sunday, accompanied by a retinue of aides and officials.

Emirates flight EK409 took off at 10:51 pm local time (1151 GMT), according to an AFP reporter on board, and landed before dawn in Dubai.

For the last one week, Djokovic was staying at the detention center in Australia. He filed a plea twice in the court – he one the first plea and then lost the legal battle during second appeal on Sunday.

"I cannot stay in Australia and participate in the Australian Open," he said, on the eve of a tournament that he has dominated for a decade, winning a record nine titles.

"I hope that we can all now focus on the game and tournament I love."

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