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The ATP said the saga surrounding Novak Djokovic's Australian visa cancellation was was 'deeply regrettable' and that his absence from the Australian Open was 'a loss for our game.'
The world No1 is awaiting deportation from Australia, after his bid to restore his visa was dismissed by the country's federal court early on Sunday.
Earlier this week, Alex Hawke, Australia's immigration minister, had cancelled Djokovic's visa arguing the Serbian was 'a talisman of anti-vaccination sentiment' and his presence in Australia could spark 'civil unrest'.
Novak Djokovic will not compete at the Australian Open after his visa was cancelled
Djokovic is not vaccinated and lawyers for the government argued that the Serb's repeated ignorance of Covid safety measures - including failing to isolate while Covid positive - was evidence enough of his views.
'He's chosen not to go into evidence in this proceeding. He could set the record straight if it needed correcting. He has not - that has important consequences,' the government said in a written submission.
In a last ditch-attempt to be allowed to remain in the country, Djokovic's legal team appealed to the federal court.
However, on Sunday Chief Justice James Allsop announced the court unanimously dismissed Djokovic’s application.
Djokovic arrived in Melbourne on January 5 after being granted a visa on November 18
The world No1 said he respected the court's decision to deport him from Australia
'Today's decision to uphold Novak Djokovic’s Australian visa cancellation marks the end of a deeply regrettable series of events,' the ATP said in a statement.
It added: 'Irrespective of how this point has been reached, Novak is one of our sport’s greatest champions and his absence from the Australian Open is a loss for the game.'
The ATP said it also 'strongly recommend vaccination to all players.'
Speaking after the
