Novak Djokovic's participation in the Australian Open has been a well-discussed issue coming into the summer of tennis - and there's finally a confirmation that he will NOT be allowed to partake.
All participants are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have a medical exemption granted by an independent panel of experts.
Here are all the latest updates regarding the world No.1 and his status for the 2022 Australian Open.
16/01/22 - Loses appeal in Federal Court, out of Australian Open
Novak Djokovic has unanimously lost his appeal in the Federal Court, and his visa has been cancelled.
The 34-year-old will now be deported and miss the upcoming Australian Open, despite being drawn to play in the first round by tournament organisers.
The case was heard in front of the full bench of the Federal Court on Sunday with three judges on hand to make the final decision.
BREAKING: NOVAK DJOKOVIC v MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION
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Federal Court DISMISSES Djokovic application with costs against him. Upholds Minister's decision to deport him. He pays government costs.
Djokovic released a statement on Sunday night responding to the decision.
What an innings for Mark Wood 👏 Australia leads by 271 runs as England step up to bat!
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14/01/22 - Visa cancelled again
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has had his visa cancelled for the second time, putting his Australian Open title defence in further doubt.
He now likely faces a 3-year ban for not following Australia's vaccine requirements.
Immigration Minister Alex Hawke announced on Friday evening that he is using his discretionary power to deport the tennis star.
Djokovic and his legal team are expected to challenge the decision, meaning the Serb could still play at Melbourne Park if successful again.
13/01/22 - Djokovic receives No. 1 seed in Australian Open draw
Novak Djokovic was revealed as the No. 1 seed for the upcoming tournament, further suggesting he will be able to play.
It still does not entirely confirm his participation, however, with the Australian government yet to make a final decision on the status of his visa.
11/01/22 - Djokovic ready to play at Melbourne Park
The Serbian star posted a photo on Twitter thanking his supporters and declaring he's now focused on defending his Australian Open title.
"I’m pleased and grateful that the Judge overturned my visa cancellation. Despite all that has happened, I want to stay and try to compete @AustralianOpen," Djokovic wrote.
"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.
"For now I cannot say more but THANK YOU all for standing with me through all this and encouraging me to stay strong."
10/01/22 - World No. 1 wins appeal against the Australian government
For now, the world No. 1's Australian Open defence is back on track after a Federal Court hearing that spanned most of Monday ended in Djokovic's favour.
The Serbian star was dramatically denied entry into Australia despite being granted a medical exemption to travel without proof of vaccination ahead of this year's first grand slam.
However, despite winning his original appeal, Djokovic isn't completely off the hook.
After the verdict, government counsel Andrew Tran said the Federal Government would now weigh up its options, which includes Immigration Minister Alex Hawke using his personal power to cancel Djokovic's visa once again.
If Djokovic has his visa cancelled again by a minister, he will not be allowed to enter Australia for three years - which could see parties back in court once again.
06/01/22 - Visa cancelled in a dramatic turn of events
The Djokovic-Australian Open saga has taken another twist, with the star Serb denied entry into Australia, along with his visa being cancelled following a documentation bungle.
The world No. 1 was attempting to enter Victoria ahead of the Australian Open, having received a medical exemption to compete in the tournament.
He has now reportedly been placed at a hotel in Melbourne ahead of a flight back to Serbia following the decision by Australian Border Force to cancel his visa.
"The Australian Border Force will continue to ensure that those who arrive at our border comply with our laws and entry requirements," Border Force said in a statement.
"The ABF can confirm that Mr Djokovic failed to provide appropriate evidence to meet the entry requirements to Australia, and his visa has been subsequently cancelled.
"Non-citizens who do not hold a valid visa on entry or who have had their visa cancelled will be detained and removed from Australia."
The drama is expected to continue into court, with Djokovic's lawyers to challenge the decision.
05/01/22 - Djokovic granted an exemption, will play at Australian Open 2022
The 20-time grand slam winner has confirmed he will be playing at Melbourne Park, having been granted a medical exemption.
"I’ve spent fantastic quality time with my loved ones over the break and today I’m heading Down Under with an exemption permission," he wrote on social media.
A statement from the Australian Open following Djokovic's announcement explained the "rigorous" process required to gain a medical exemption, which involved two separate independent panels of medical experts.
02/01/22 - Call expected in 'coming days', says Tennis Australia boss
Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley says time is ticking on Novak Djokovic's Australian Open status.
All players from overseas are expected to touch down in Melbourne on charter flights by the end of next week, ahead of the grand slam's start on January 17th.
Tiley says Djokovic still hasn't indicated to Tennis Australia whether he'll be on one of the charter flights next week, but expects to find out in "coming days" whether the Serbian star will fly Down Under.
“We’ve still got a few charter flights coming in until the end of this week and then all the players will be here,” Tiley told Channel Nine on Sunday morning.
“As far as the status relates to Novak, I think we’ll have a much clearer picture in the coming days otherwise it’s getting pretty late to show up and play the Australian Open.
“There’s quite a bit to play out and I think it will play out in the coming days.”
31/12/21 - Mystery surrounds Australian Open participation
There is still no official confirmation of Djokovic's participation or non-participation in the Australian Open in 2022.
His withdrawal from the ATP Cup - a lead-in tournament - is the biggest indicator yet that he will not be eligible to defend his men's singles title at Melbourne Park.
Tennis Australia is yet to validate whether the 34-year-old will feature in the grand slam, with his unknown vaccination status seemingly the main obstacle.
Djokovic's name appears on the official entry list for the Australian Open, however, that does not guarantee that a player will take part in the tournament.
Tournament organisers still want to see the Serb in attendance but won't issue special exemptions unless they are applied for on medical grounds.
“If Novak shows up at the Australian Open, he’ll either be vaccinated or he’ll have a medical exemption,” Australian Open chief Craig Tiley said in December.
“Medically, he doesn’t talk to anyone about it.
"I’m not going to ask Novak that, it’s none of my business.
"I will know that (he fulfills) one of those conditions.”
30/12/21 - Officially out of ATP Cup
It was confirmed on December 30 that Novak Djokovic would not take place in the ATP Cup, to be held in Sydney in the lead-up to the Australian Open.
Event organisers revealed the Serbian star's omission in a brief statement that revealed that Djokovic had been replaced, but didn't go into any further detail.
"Serbia remains in the competition and will be led by world number 33, Dusan Lajovic," ATP Cup event organisers said in a statement.
There was hope that Djokovic would be able to play in the tournament, however, his withdrawal casts further doubt on his ability to play in the first grand slam of 2022.
