Novak Djokovic was looking to make history at this year’s Australian Open.
The Serbian tennis star could have won his 21st Grand Slam singles title, putting him all alone at the top of the record books.
However, history will have to wait after he was deported from Australia on Sunday, January 16. The Australian government decided to cancel his visa on public health and order grounds.
Authorities stated Djokovic didn’t have a valid exemption for Australia’s vaccination requirements. Djokovic, who has previously voiced opposition to Covid-19 vaccines and vaccine mandates, was unvaccinated when he arrived in Australia after testing positive for Covid-19 last month.
In a statement, Djokovic expressed he was “disappointed” with the decision but respected the court’s ruling. Upon his arrival in Serbia, he received a hero’s welcome.
Global Highlights
Natural Disasters
An eruption occurs at an underwater volcano about 30 kilometers southeast of Tonga’s Fonuafo’ou island on Friday, January 14. The eruption caused a severe tsunami on Tonga’s Tongatapu island, affecting regions across the Pacific. Tonga Geological Services/Reuters
Violence and Rescues
Authorities escort a hostage out of a synagogue after an hours-long standoff in Colleyville, Texas, on Saturday, January 15. The FBI reported four hostages were taken by Malik Faisal Akram, a British national who was eventually killed by a hostage rescue team. All hostages were unharmed. Elias Valverde/AP
Cultural Events
People ride horses through flames during the Luminarias festival in San Bartolomé de Pinares, Spain, celebrating St. Anthony, Spain’s patron saint of animals. Manu Fernandez/AP
Tragic Events
People in New York City walk with caskets during a mass public funeral held a week after an apartment fire killed 17 individuals in the Bronx, marking one of the deadliest fires in New York in nearly 40 years. Stephanie Keith/The New York Times/Redux
Political Developments
US President Joe Biden holds a nearly two-hour-long news conference discussing his vision for the next chapter of his presidency, highlighting the changes he is prepared to make amid multiple crises domestically and internationally. Doug Mills/The New York Times/Redux
Healthcare Insights
Dr. James Samuel Pope treats a Covid-19 patient at an intensive-care unit in Hartford, Connecticut, on Tuesday, January 18.
Conclusion
This week, multiple significant events have unfolded globally, capturing public attention and highlighting critical issues in sports, politics, culture, and public health. The impact of these stories resonates far and wide, shaping discussions and fostering awareness in communities around the world.
