Novak Djokovic's Australian Open saga exposes that his vaccine refusal may cost him a shot at becoming the GOAT of men's tennis

• Novak Djokovic's vaccine stance could have far-reaching consequences for his career ambitions.
• If Australia upholds his three year ban, he'll miss his favorite tournament at least three times.
• With France now requiring vaccination in public places, he could also miss the French Open.

Novak Djokovic looks set to be pay the price for his deportation from Australia for a long time to come after it was confirmed that he would be banned from entering the country for three years.

The Serbian was deported on Sunday after a losing a visa battle that centered on him not being vaccinated against COVID-19.

"The visa was cancelled by [Immigration] Minister Hawke," Australia's Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said on Sunday.

"That cancellation was upheld by the Federal Court, so as a result of that, he will be banned from entry for three years into the country."

Though Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Djokovic could potentially be allowed entry sooner under the "right circumstances," the ban means that in the worst case scenario, the 34-year-old would be unable to compete in the Australian Open until 2025, by which point he will be 37.

Djokovic was favourite to win this year's tournament having won the title in each of the last three years and a record nine times in total.

Doing so would have seen him win a record 21st career Grand Slam, moving one ahead of both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the all-time charts — all three men are currently tied on 20 majors.

While it seems unlikely that the 40-year-old Federer, with his long history of knee injuries, will add to his Grand Slam tally, Nadal is five years younger and less plagued by issues with his body, and will most likely win several more slams.

With Djokovic out of the picture, Nadal is among the favorites to claim this year's Australian Open title. Though the Spaniard has won the tournament just once in his career, he has reached the final on four other occasions, twice losing to Djokovic.

His 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Marcos Giron in just one hour and 49 minutes in the first round Monday was also an ominous sign of things to come.

"Last week had been important for me. I played three matches, I won three matches. I won a title, it's always beautiful," Nadal said after his win over Giron.

"And I think I am doing better and better. You never know what's going on, but I'm happy if you tell me I'm going to be in this position one month ago, of course without a doubt I would sign the paper."

It's not just the Australian Open, however, that Djokovic could miss out on for the forseeable future.

On Monday, France's Sports Ministry said the world number one could also be barred from competing in the French Open after the country passed a new vaccine pass law that will require people to have a certificate of vaccination to enter public places such as restaurants, cafes, cinemas, and long-distance trains.

"The rule is simple. The vaccine pass will be imposed, as soon as the law is promulgated, in establishments that were already subject to the health pass," the ministry said, per Reuters.

"This will apply to everyone who is a spectator or a professional sportsperson. And this until further notice.

"Now, as far as Roland-Garros is concerned, it's in May. The situation may change between now and then and we hope that it will be more favorable. So we'll see, but clearly there's no exemption."

Nadal will, as he is always is, be favorite to win the French Open, having done so an astonishing 13 times.

Djokovic, however, is one of only two men other than Nadal to win in France since 2010, so him missing out represents another big boost for Nadal.

In the simplest terms, Djokovic's refusal to be vaccinated could mean that he's only able to play in half as many Grand Slams as Nadal going forward, and therefore have only half as many chances to win. Should France uphold its vaccination stance, then Nadal could have 22 majors by the time Djokovic is next allowed to enter a Grand Slam — Wimbledon in July.

With the men just a year apart in age, Djokovic could well be severely compromising his chance to end his career as the most-decorated male tennis player of all time.