Australian Open organizers ‘deeply regret’ impact of Djokovic saga

FILE PHOTO: Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic practices at Melbourne Park as questions remain over the legal battle regarding his visa to play in the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia, January 13, 2022. REUTERS/Loren Elliott

Australian Open organizers said Tuesday they “deeply regret” the impact that the Novak Djokovic deportation saga had on other players and admitted there were “lessons to learn.”

The unvaccinated men’s world number one Djokovic flew out of Melbourne on Sunday after he failed in a last-gasp court bid to stay and play in the opening Grand Slam of the year, where he was targeting a record 21st major title.

His dramatic departure followed a protracted, high-stakes legal battle between the 34-year-old and Australian authorities that cast a dark shadow over the tournament.

In its first comments on the matter, Tennis Australia said in a statement it respected the court decision and hoped the focus could now switch to action on the tennis court.

“As the Australian tennis family, we recognize that recent events have been a significant distraction for everyone and we deeply regret the impact this had on all players,” it said, without mentioning Djokovic by name.

“There are always lessons to learn and we will review all aspects of our preparation and implementation to inform our planning — as we do every year.”

The governing body also threw its support behind its embattled chief executive Craig Tiley, who has come under the microscope over his role in giving Djokovic the green light to come to Australia.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion arrived in Melbourne nearly two weeks ago thinking he would be able to play after being granted a medical exemption to enter the country.

The rationale was that he had contracted COVID-19 in the past six months, but it was challenged and after a legal battle he ultimately had to leave.

“The board and member associations commend the Tennis Australia CEO and the entire Tennis Australia team for their hard work and dedication to delivering a spectacular summer of tennis,” the statement said.

Djokovic is now back in Serbia with his image seriously damaged and his future unclear.