Novak Djokovic

The top men's tennis player was deported after losing a visa battle that centred on the fact he is unvaccinated.

Supporters gathered at the airport in Belgrade, waving the national flag and chanting "we love Novak".

"This is a shame what they did to Novak in Australia," one supporter said. "This is a shame what the world has come to."

"I myself am vaccinated, double-jabbed, but I think no-one should be forced to do something... he was judged and sentenced for his freedom of choice," he added.

Immigration Minister Alex Hawke announced on social media that the world's number one men's tennis player had left the country.

His flight out of Melbourne ended a dramatic 11 days in which the Serbian had his visa to Australia revoked twice.

The second time came when Hawke used his powers as Immigration Minister to cancel Djokovic's visa, after lawyers for the world number one overturned the original decision by Australian Border force.

A judicial review of Hawke's decision to cancel the Serbian's visa was heard by the full bench of the Federal Court on Sunday.

It shows Channel 7 journalists Mike Amor and Rebecca Maddern talking candidly about the tennis star as they prepare to read Tuesday's evening news.

Maddern says Djokovic is "lying" and "sneaky", while Amor says the athlete has "fallen over his own... lies".

Channel 7 has launched an investigation into the "illegal" leak.

The 34-year-old Serb said he practised on court in Melbourne within hours of leaving an immigration detention hotel.

But Australia's immigration minister still has powers to re-cancel the visa and deport the unvaccinated player.

"Despite all that has happened, I want to stay and try to compete in the Australian Open," Djokovic tweeted.

The statement continued: "I remain focused on that. I flew here to play at one of the most important events we have in front of the amazing fans."

Djokovic, a nine-time Australian Open winner, has not spoken publicly about his vaccination status.

The tournament begins in Melbourne on 17 January.

"I've spent fantastic quality time with my loved ones over the break and today I'm heading down under with an exemption permission," the 34-year-old said on Instagram on Tuesday. "Let's go 2022.

"I am ready to live and breathe tennis in the next few weeks of competition."

Djokovic, who finished the year as number one for a record seventh time, won the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon while he fell short at the Tokyo Olympics and the U.S. Open final in his quest for a rare golden slam.

The Serb was tied with American great Pete Sampras on six wins for the title first awarded in 1978.

Barty, who won her first Wimbledon title this year and a bronze medal at the Olympics in mixed doubles, previously won the award in 2019.

The Spaniard, chasing a record-extending 13th triumph at Roland Garros, will meet the world number one for the seventh time at Roland Garros, having beaten him six times out of seven, including twice in the two finals they played.

The 34-year-old Nadal, now undefeated in 13 French Open semi-finals, once again relied on his massive forehand to notch up his 10th win in 11 encounters with Schwartzman, who beat him at the Italian Open last month.

Some rare sunshine bathed the Court Phillipe Chatrier but it was dull viewing for the few spectators allowed in to watch the 33-year-old glide effortlessly through.

The opening set was done and dusted in 22 minutes as Djokovic won the last 10 points and the second set was only marginally more competitive.

Berankis, ranked 66th, needed courtside treatment on his back before the start of the third set but got back to his feet to endure more punishment from the clinical Serb.

Little over three weeks since Djokovic was defaulted in the U.S. Open fourth round for hitting a line judge with a ball, he was a model of self-control as he outclassed the young Swede.

Had Court Philippe Chatrier been packed with fans rather than just a smattering because of the COVID-19 restrictions, Djokovic might have expected some heckling from the sometimes fickle post-lunch French audience.

Instead, it was as gentle a return to the Grand Slam spotlight as the 33-year-old top seed could have wished for as he charmed the tiny audience with his silky repertoire.

Djokovic overcame a sluggish start to lift his fifth Italian Open title, defeating Argentine Diego Schwartzman 7-5 6-3 for a record 36th ATP Masters crown

Playing his maiden ATP 1000 final, eighth seed Schwartzman raced out of the blocks to convert two break point opportunities for a 3-0 lead as Djokovic struggled to put a lid on his backhand errors.

An on-and-off drizzle at Foro Italico added to Djokovic's frustration but he still found a way past Schwartzman's serve to draw level at 3-3.