Novak Djokovic has reacted to the Australian government's decision to deport him from the country.
As reported by BBC News, the reigning Australian Open champion has lost his last-effort court bid to remain in the country, with officials canceling Djokovic's visa on "health and good order" grounds.
The decision to reject the tennis star's appeal means he will be unable to defend his Australian Open title - and will further prevent him from attempting to win a record 21st Grand Slam.
The 34-year-old's final bid to stay in the country came after Immigration Minister Alex Hawke exercised his ministerial powers to revoke Djokovic's visa due to the Serbian star's unvaccinated status. In a statement on Friday, Hawke said: "Mr Novak Djokovic on health and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so."
Hawke added that "Australians have made many sacrifices during this pandemic, and they rightly expect the result of those sacrifices to be protected."
Australia currently requires all visitors to the country to be double-vaxxed.
It was the second time Djokovic's visa was canceled - with the first instance being decided by a different judge.
Responding to the news, Djokovic has shared his disappointment at not being allowed to compete in the 2022 Australian Open.
He said: "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.
"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."
Djokovic added: "Finally, I would like to thank my family, friends, team, supporters, fans and my fellow Serbians for your continued support,' the player concluded.
"You have all been a great source of strength to me."
Sunday's court hearing was held before a three-judge panel, with Djokovic's defense team failing to argue that Hawke's reasoning for deporting the star were "invalid and illogical".
And although Chief Justice James Allsop has said that full reasoning for the court's decision will be made public in a few days, he did say that today's ruling was made on the lawfulness and legality of the minister's decision.
