Australian Open news and updates: Tennis Australia responds to Novak Djokovic court failure; What visa decision means for Grand Slam
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Australia's Ashleigh Barty reacts after defeating Montenegrin's Danke Kovinic during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft) AP
Tennis Australia responds to Djokovic court failure
Tennis Australia has responded to the federal court's decision to uphold Novak Djokovic's visa cancellation, ensuring the world No.1's deportation and cutting him from the Australian Open.
"Tennis Australia respects the decision of the federal court," the governing body said in a statement.
"As per Grand Slam rules the No.1 position in the draw has been filled by a lucky loser.
"We look forward to a competitive and exciting Australian Open 2022 and wish all players the best of luck."
Novak Djokovic, Craig Tiley. AP
Djokovic releases statement on court failure
Novak Djokovic has released a statement on the back of his unsuccessful court bid.
Novak Djokovic leaving the Park Hotel in Melbourne on Sunday. Luis Enrique Ascui
What Djokovic decision means for AO schedule
Novak Djokovic's failed court bid means Italian Salvatore Caruso will replace the world No.1 in the first round of the Australian Open.
Caruso, ranked 150 in the world, will meet Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic.
It marks an extraordinary turn of events for Caruso, who was a losing qualifier but has found a way into the Australian Open in staggering fashion.
Djokovic court decision a huge win for rivals
It must be asked who's now favourite to win the men's Australian Open singles title after Novak Djokovic's visa cancellation was upheld, meaning the world No.1 won't compete.
Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Rafael Nadal are the clear contenders, while Aslan Karatsev is a dark horse.
Someone other than Djokovic will win the Australian Open for the first time since Roger Federer claimed a second title in succession in 2018.
The last time someone other than Djokovic or Federer won at Melbourne Park was when Stan Wawrinka was victorious in 2014.
Djokovic out of Aussie Open after failed court bid
Novak Djokovic will not compete in the Australia Open after a federal court upheld his visa cancellation.
The Serbian faces deportation from Australia.
Djokovic decision to be delivered at 5:45pm
The Federal Court is expected to deliver its orders in around 15 minutes time.
The court will reveal their decision, with their full reasons to be published at a later date.
Other key matches set for Monday
Aside from Ash Barty and Novak Djokovic (pending appeal) hitting Rod Laver Arena tomorrow night, several other highly-anticipated matches will also play out, including:
Rod Laver Arena, day session: Naomi Osaka vs Camila Osorio
Rod Laver Arena, day session: Rafael Nadal vs Marcos Giron
Margaret Court Arena, night session: Alexander Zverev vs Daniel Altmaier
John Cain Arena, day session: Sofia Kenin vs Madison Keys
Melbourne's weather tomorrow will be partly cloudy with a top of 23. There is a slight, 20 per cent chance of a light shower.
AO order of play drops
The Australian Open has revealed its order of play schedule ahead of tomorrow's start.
Night one of the Australia Open will be headlined by the top-seeded men's and women's players.
Australian Ash Barty will take on Ukrainian qualifier Lesia Tsurenko, while Novak Djokovic has been formally scheduled to play fellow countryman Miomir Kecmanovic in the last match of the day on Rod Laver Arena.
Fellow Aussies Aija Tomljanovic and John Millman will also hit the court during the night session against their respective Spanish opponents.
If Djokovic is unable to play following the outcome of his court hearing, he will be replaced by a qualifying loser.
'Please don't tell me' about Barty, says Osaka
Thirteenth seed Naomi Osaka has shut down talks of her potential fourth-round clash with Aussie Ash Barty.
Speaking to the media on Saturday, Osaka quashed a reporter from asking about her potential opponents ensuing her Round 1 match with Columbian world No. 53 Camila Osorio.
"Please don't tell me," she said.
"I'm the type of person that I don't look at the draw. I look only at the person I'm going to play.
Naomi Osaka and Ash Barty. Getty
"I was literally out somewhere yesterday and someone told me about Barty. Don't tell me about anything past that – I'm just trying to get past the first round."
Both women would need to defeat their first three opponents to set up the highly-anticipated clash before the finals, Tournament favourite Barty's first test being Ukrainian qualifier Lesia Tsurenko.
Both Barty and Osaka took four-month breaks from the WTA tour after last year's US Open.
While Barty remained the WTA's top-ranked player, Osaka slipped from No.2 in August to her classification of No.14.
