- UN probe says women, children comprise the majority of Gaza war dead
- England's Lawrence eager to face rising Wallabies star Suaalii
- Judge Spurs at end of the season, says Postecoglou
- Paris Olympic horses to be awarded military medals
- Flood-hit Spain drenched by wettest October on record
- Spain call up uncapped trio for Nations League
- INEOS Britannia named as challenger for 38th America's Cup
- Scarlets wing Murray set for Wales debut against Fiji
- Stocks falter tracking US, China policy updates
- Prince William reflects on 'brutal' year as Kate returns to public life
- After Trump win, EU leaders tackle 'urgent' reform agenda
- France expects massive slump in 2024 wine harvest
- Leaders condemn 'anti-Semitic' football clashes in Amsterdam
- China passes energy law to 'promote carbon neutrality'
- Slot not surprised by flying start at Liverpool
- Kagiyama leads Miura at NHK Trophy
- China unveils sweeping local govt debt swap to lift ailing economy
- Partial UN probe of Gaza war dead over 6 months shows 'nearly 70%' women, children
- 'Anti-government' samosa theft prompts India police probe
- Qantas plane returns to Australia airport due to 'engine failure'
- Ayub hits 82 as Pakistan crush Australia in 2nd ODI
- Russian drones, missiles pummel cities across Ukraine
- First artwork by humanoid robot sells for over $1.0 million
- China to raise local govt debt ceiling to boost struggling economy
- Climate change poses multiple risks for banks
- Boxing club helps fight Greenland's suicide scourge
- Retired Olympian Daley dives into the spool with Tokyo knitwear show
- Japanese organ builder 'honoured' to restore voice of Notre Dame
- Sony quarterly net profit jumps but forecast unchanged
- Asian markets struggle to maintain momentum after Fed cut
- Fur flies as Russia takes on young fans of 'quadrobics'
- Pharrell Williams to bring star power to Web Summit tech event
- On Kinshasa's streets hairdressers make a quick buck
- Rauf takes five as Australia out for 163 in 2nd Pakistan ODI
- Harris thrusts himself into pole position in Australia 'bat-off'
- Trump makes first cabinet pick, eyes Putin talks
- Qantas plane returns to Australia airport due to 'engine failure', sparks fire
- Jackson leads thrilling Ravens comeback over Bengals
- Why young men turned out in droves for Donald Trump
- China poised to approve more help for ailing economy
- Philippines cleans up after Typhoon Yinxing slams north coast
- Bucks snap losing streak with Jazz rout
- Quesada fears rustiness as Italy face Argentina in opening November Test
- Hard graft takes 140kg 'big sponge' Tatafu to France debut
- Asian markets extend rally after Fed cut
- 'Constant threat' Dupont back for France against Japan
- Bestaven in pursuit of sailing's 'holy grail' in Vendee Globe
- French monument Saint-Etienne eye success again under new ownership
- Bayern look to extend lead as Kompany makes his mark
- Sinner ATP Finals favourite after brilliant and controversial year
What now for Novak Djokovic?
Novak Djokovic's deportation from Australia due to his coronavirus vaccine status may be the portent of worse things to come for the Serbian tennis superstar.
The fall-out from the 34-year-old's very public stand-off with the Australian government raises questions not just about his bid for a record 21st Grand Slam title -- it could affect him in many other ways.
AFP Sport picks out three potential consequences:
Court costs
Novak Djokovic has always made much of his love of the history of tennis and is keenly aware of his place in it, although he said last year he found it "difficult to understand the magnitude of (my) achievements....while I'm still an active player."
He made a bit more history at the Australian Open in being the first tennis world number one to be deported and the repercussions of his absence could be monumentally costly for him on court.
His absence could see Rafael Nadal secure what the Serbian wanted to achieve in Australia -- an unprecedented 21st Grand Slam singles crown.
If 35-year-old Nadal falls short, Djokovic could lose out in another way -- his record two-year reign as world number one could be ended if either Daniil Medvedev or Alexander Zverev win the Australian title for the first time.
Medvedev -- who denied a tearful Djokovic a Grand Slam sweep in 2021 by beating him in the US Open final -- came close to achieving that last year.
Djokovic has made no secret that his friend Medvedev is his most likely successor.
However, when he expressed that view after beating the Russian in the Paris Masters last November, he probably envisaged rather different circumstances.
"I'm sure he's going to get it eventually, and when he does, it's completely deserved," Djokovic said then.
Financial fallout
Djokovic has earned an estimated $150 million during his stellar career.
However, the $30 million he earned from sponsorship deals last year -- according to Forbes magazine -- may not be so sacrosanct as sponsors take stock of the situation and assess the potential damage to the image of their star and to them.
Djokovic's Lacoste contract was his most lucrative, valued at around $9 million by several American media outlets.
The clothing firm bearing the emblem of a crocodile -- the nickname of its founder, French tennis legend Rene Lacoste -- indicated it may bare its teeth in talks with Djokovic.
"As soon as is possible we will be in touch with Novak Djokovic to talk about the events in Australia," read a Lacoste statement.
Djokovic, though, can take heart from the experience of a fellow sporting superstar and anti-vaxxer Aaron Rogers.
The Green Bay Packers quarterback lost only a minor sponsor last year, who took a dim view of both his anti-vaccine stance and his claim that his critics were "a woke mob".
Slam doors shutting?
Nadal winning the Australian Open would require Djokovic to win two more Grand Slam titles to be the sole holder of the record number of singles titles. The Spaniard has only won the Australian crown once and lost the four other finals he has contested in Melbourne.
With doubts over whether Roger Federer -- the third member of the triumvirate that are level on 20 titles -- can add to his haul when he returns from yet more knee surgery, Djokovic was looking good to achieve yet another record.
However, the very reason for his deportation from Australia could change the complexion of his future career because Covid is not going away anytime soon and nor will the regulations regarding vaccination made by ever cautious governments.
Wimbledon would appear the only tournament he can confidently think of playing in after the French Open doors closed on him on Monday.
The French sports ministry said a new vaccine pass, approved by the parliament on Sunday, "applies to everyone, to volunteers and to elite sportspeople, including those coming from abroad, until further notice."
The US Open would also appear to be a no-go area for the Serb according to the stringent vaccination rules currently in place in New York.
"It is an objective, yes, to prove that I can break all the records," Djokovic said last November. "I'm very motivated to carry on."
Whether the damaging Australian saga has sapped that inner drive will be hard to gauge but for the moment that Grand Slam record must seem further away than ever.
C.Kovalenko--BTB