Tenni star Novak Djokovic was deported from Australia on Sunday "having lost a sensational legal battle over his coronavirus vaccination status and with his dream of clinching a record 21st Grand Slam in tatters. An "extremely disappointed" Djokovic said he would comply with a unanimous Federal Court decision to uphold his visa cancellation over fears he could stoke anti-vaccine sentiment. "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," reports ndtv.com.

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

"Just hours earlier, in a few dry words, the chief justice of Australia's Federal Court, James Allsop, dispensed with the unvaccinated tennis superstar's attempt to reinstate his cancelled visa and to make tennis history," ndtv.com adds.

"The orders of the court are that the amended application be dismissed with costs," Allsop said in understated remarks that ended a week of legal high drama.

Three Federal Court justices had listened to half a day of feisty legal back-and-forth about Djokovic's alleged risk to public order in Australia.