Novak Djokovic updates: 'Scandalous', 'disgraceful' and 'deeply regrettable' - reaction as player deported from Australia

Live updates as Djokovic's chance to become the most successful men's player ever is snubbed out for now, with the Serb deported from Australia after losing his court appeal.

Djokovic is flying out of Melbourne Airport
Image: Djokovic flew out of Melbourne Airport on Sunday night
Why you can trust Sky News
Key points
We're wrapping up the Djokovic blog - thanks a lot for reading
Behaviour towards Novak 'scandalous', says family

Djokovic's family have reacted for the first time since the decision to deport him was finalised.

Their statement said: "We are very disappointed with the decision of the Federal Court and the fact that Novak has to leave Australia. 

"This was not just about sport, and playing in the first Grand Slam of the season, which Novak has dominated for a decade, but also politics and all the interests that prevailed in this case.

"Despite the scandalous behaviour towards Novak, we believed that sport would win.

"We believed that the fact confirmed by the court would be respected - that Novak has a valid visa, that justice will be served and that no 'public interests' will be an excuse for the decision made.

"What we all need to do, and first of all us as his family, is to give him support now more than ever.

"We will be here to share the blows he received, to help him regain his energy, his faith in this sport, above all in fair play, which was completely absent here. 

"We are proud of him and the strength he showed and the fight he led with dignity. 

"We believe that he will come out of this situation stronger and that time will show what he has indisputably always confirmed so far, and that is that he is a great champion and a man."

Djokovic plane 'most-tracked flight in the world'

Aviation tracking site Flightradar24 says the plane carrying the tennis star to Dubai is getting a lot of interest.

He still hasn't left Australian airspace, having just crossed into Western Australia, according to the site.

The plane is scheduled to land at about 1.30am UK time.

'Game, set, match - Djokovic'

A woman holds a message of support for Djokovic as thousands protest in Amsterdam today against the Dutch government's lockdown measures.

Djokovic appears to have become a symbol for some people opposed to lockdown measures and vaccines.

The Serbian player is unvaccinated but believed a positive COVID test in December made him exempt from Australia's rule that foreign arrivals must be vaccinated.

Djokovic had kept his vaccination status secret until details of his talks with Australian immigration officials revealed he hadn't been jabbed.

However, he had previously said he wouldn't want to be forced to get a vaccine in order to play or travel.

Visa debacle down to incompetence and 'not singing from same song sheet'

Sydney immigration lawyer David Prince told Sky News the outcome of the court was not unexpected.

He said the saga was caused by a "combination of incompetence among Tennis Australia, the Victorian state government and the federal government - and just not singing from the same song sheet - and then this hardening of policy essentially mid-flight".

Mr Prince said the debacle could have been avoided if the rule was a simple and firm: no vaccination, no entry.

"I don't think there's a lot of sympathy in the Australian people for unvaccinated people," he added. 

"Especially in Victoria, which has the dubious honour of being the most locked-down city [sic] in the entire world."

Flight believed to be carrying Djokovic has taken off

An Emirates flight heading to Dubai and believed to be carrying Novak Djokovic has taken off from Melbourne airport.

Australia 'now an authoritarian state' - Farage

Former UKIP and Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage has hit out at Djokovic's deportation, claiming it means "freedom of choice" is gone in Australia and that COVID restrictions will last for years.

Djokovic escorted to departure gate

After 10 days in the country - much of it detained in a hotel, federal agents escorted the player from the business lounge to the gate.

Djokovic at Melbourne Airport for deportation flight

The player and his team have been pictured arriving for their flight home, with the first leg believed to be heading to Dubai.

Serbian Tennis Federation blames 'political pressures'

The Serbian Tennis Federation has expressed "great disappointment" over the court decision and said "politics has won".

In a statement, it said Djokovic had complied with all requirements and rules, but had his visa cancelled due to "political pressures".

It added: "Interference of politics in sports has opened many burning issues. What message has Australia been sending as two time Olympics organizers in front of hosting the same event for the third time in 2032?"

The federation also criticised tennis authorities the ATP and ITF for not doing more in the case and said Djokovic remained "the greatest ambassador of our country".