
Tennis world number one NovakDjokoviclanded in Dubai on Monday after his sensational deportation from Australia over his coronavirus vaccination status shattered his dream of scoring a record 21st Grand Slam title in Melbourne.
As the Australian Open got under way, the men's defending champion stepped off an Emirates plane carrying two bags and wearing a mask- his final destination unknown.
The tennis star walked off the aircraft, having landed atDubaiInternational Airport at 5:32 am local time (0132 GMT).
The dramatic deportation followed a protracted and high-stakes legal battle between the unvaccinatedDjokovicand the Australian authorities that polarised opinion and tarnished reputations on both sides.
Djokovicsaid he was "extremely disappointed" after a Federal Court.
The world number one was supposed to be the headline act in the opening night session of the Australian Open on Monday, but the unvaccinated Serbian is not defending his title after a court threw out his bid to stay in the country.