Novak Djokovic arrived early Monday in Dubai after his deportation from Australia over its required COVID-19 vaccination ended the No. 1-ranked men's tennis player's hopes of defending his Australian Open title.
The Emirates plane carrying Djokovic touched down after a 13 1/2-hour flight from Melbourne, where he had argued in court he should be allowed to stay in the country and compete in the tournament under a medical exemption due to a coronavirus infection last month.
It wasn't immediately clear where he planned to travel next. The Dubai Duty Free tennis tournament, which Djokovic won in 2020, doesn't start until Feb. 14.
Dubai, the commercial capital of the United Arab Emirates, doesn't require travelers to be vaccinated, though they must show a negative PCR test to board a flight.
Djokovic had won nine Australian Open titles, including three in a row, and a total of 20 Grand Slam singles trophies, tied with rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for the most in the history of men’s tennis. Federer is not playing while recovering from injury, and Nadal is the only former Australian Open men's champion in the tournament that began Monday.
Djokovic’s visa was initially canceled on Jan. 6 by a border official who decided he didn’t qualify for a medical exemption from Australia’s rules for unvaccinated visitors. He was exempted from the tournament’s vaccine rules because he had been infected with the virus within the previous six months.
He won an appeal to stay for the tournament, but Australia's immigration minister later revoked his visa. Three Federal Court judges decided unanimously Sunday to affirm the immigration minister’s right to cancel Djokovic’s visa.
Vaccination amid the pandemic was a requirement for anyone at the Australian Open, whether players, their coaches or anyone at the tournament site. More than 95% of all Top 100 men and women in their tours’ respective rankings are vaccinated. At least two men — American Tennys Sandgren and Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert — skipped the first major tournament of the year due to the vaccine requirement.
Djokovic's attempt to get the medical exemption for not being vaccinated sparked anger in Australia, where strict lockdowns in cities and curbs on international travel have been employed to try to control the spread of the coronavirus since the pandemic began.
MADRID (AP) — Spain's first Women's World Cup triumph last year earned two more major plaudits at the Laureus World Sports Awards on Monday.
Spain was chosen world team of the year for 2023 and midfielder Aitana Bonmatí was picked as the best sportswoman.
Novak Djokovic received the sportsman of the year at the ceremony in Madrid, and American gymnast Simone Biles was given the comeback of the year award.
Real Madrid forward Jude Bellingham earned the breakthrough prize, and Rafael Nadal won the sport for good award thanks to his foundation.
The Spanish women's World Cup breakthrough last August in New Zealand and Australia was tarnished in the following weeks because of an unwanted kiss of forward Jenni Hermoso by then-federation president Luis Rubiales after the final.
Laureus rewarded Spain as the first all-female team to win the team award.
Before the World Cup, Bonmatí also helped Barcelona win a second Women's Champions League. She's the first female soccer player to win the Laureus, after also receiving the Ballon d'Or and FIFA best player award.
“I want to thank all my teammates and the staff of my club and national team who have helped me a lot, and because of them I am here today,” Bonmati said.
Djokovic won his record-equalling fifth Laureus sportsman award — tying Roger Federer — after titles at the Australian Open, French Open and U.S. Open to reach a record 24 Grand Slam singles triumphs. NFL great Tom Brady presented Djokovic the award.
Biles made a record-breaking return to competition last year when she won four gold medals at the world championships, including a record sixth all-around title.
Nadal's foundation was rewarded for helping more than "1,000 vulnerable young people in Spain and India," according to Laureus.
Teenager Arisa Trew won the action sportsperson award after becoming the first female skateboarder to land a 720 in competition.
Dutch wheelchair player Diede de Groot was selected as the sportsperson of the year with a disability after winning her third straight calendar tennis Grand Slam.
AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal and Maria Francisca Perello pose for the media after winning "Sport for good 2024" at the Laureus Sports Awards ceremony in Madrid, Monday, April 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham poses for the media after winning "Breakthrough of the year 2024" at the Laureus Sports Awards ceremony in Madrid, Monday, April 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz poses on the red carpet before the Laureus Sports Awards ceremony in Madrid, Monday, April 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Former Jamaican athlete Usain Bolt, left, and Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham at the red carpet before the Laureus Sports Awards ceremony in Madrid, Monday, April 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
FC Barcelona's soccer player Aitana Bonmati poses on the red carpet before the Laureus Sports Awards ceremony in Madrid, Monday, April 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal, center, Maria Francisca Perello, left, and Ana Maria Parera pose on the red carpet before the Laureus Sports Awards ceremony in Madrid, Monday, April 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic, right, and Jelena Ristic pose on the red carpet before the Laureus Sports Awards ceremony in Madrid, Monday, April 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
