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A cloud of uncertainty has been lifted from the Australian Open, clearing the way for local favourite Ash Barty to shine on the opening day.

The Federal Court's ruling on Sunday against the now-deported defending men's champion Novak Djokovic ended an ugly saga that overshadowed the build-up to the first grand slam of the year.

Many players had grown weary of the visa cancellation soap opera hogging the headlines, with even Djokovic admitting the spotlight on his off-court battle had made him "uncomfortable".

The world No.1 was scheduled to begin his quest for a 10th title at Melbourne Park against fellow Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic on Monday night.

Italy's Salvatore Caruso, who lost during qualifying and was then put on stand-by in case of injury, will instead take Djokovic's place in that match, which has been shifted to an outdoor court.

Women's world No.1 Barty returns to Rod Laver Arena as the headline act in prime time, followed by the all-German contest between men's third seed Alexander Zverev and Daniel Altmaier.

Barty takes on Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko and is a hot favourite to break Australia's infamous 44-year Open title drought.

"It feels like an eternity since I played here at home," Barty said, having fallen to Czech Karolina Muchova in the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park a year ago.

"It's exciting going into it. I'm very fortunate and grateful that I'm in the draw and I've got a chance just like everyone else."

Women's defending champion Naomi Osaka will take on unseeded Colombian Camila Osorio in the second match of the day session at Rod Laver Arena, before 2009 men's champion Rafael Nadal begins his bid for a record 21st grand slam title against American Marcos Giron.

Australian women's No.2 Ajla Tomljanovic and local men John Millman, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Aleksandar Vukic and James Duckworth are also in singles action on Monday.

Kokkinakis meets Germany's Yannick Hanfmann, fresh from claiming his first ATP Tour title in front of home fans in Adelaide on Saturday.

Greek fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, one of the most outspoken critics of Djokovic, tried to turn attention back to the game over the weekend as Australia's Alex de Minaur added his name to the list of players who lamented the focus on off-court matters.

Spanish legend Nadal, who is tied with Djokovic and the injured Roger Federer with 20 major titles, declared the Australian Open bigger than any individual player.

Djokovic released a statement late on Sunday in response to the Federal Court ruling after it was made public.

"I am uncomfortable that the focus of the past weeks has been on me and I hope that we can all now focus on the game and tournament I love," Djokovic said in the statement before he flew out of the country.

"I would like to wish the players, tournament officials, staff, volunteers and fans all the best for the tournament."

© AAP 2022

Whether it's a hangover from the Novak Djokovic saga or the swirling threat of Omicron, fans have shunned day one of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park.

After 10 days dominated by Djokovic's visa fiasco, which led to the defending champion and top seed being deported from Australia before a ball toss, the Open looked to have lost its usual lustre.

The Victorian government announced last week crowd capacity would be capped at 50 per cent during the next fortnight in line with the state's COVID-19 protocols.

In another deterrent, those who did venture out to Melbourne Park were greeted by long lines for a vaccination certificate check with only the double vaxxed permitted through the gates.

With grey skies overhead early on and blustery winds following in the afternoon, the normally bustling garden square resembled a ghost town leaving entertainers to perform to just a few.

While lucky loser Italian Salvatore Caruso took Djokovic's spot at the top of the men's draw, the world No.1 still proved a favourite with some fans taking photographs at the main stadium in front of an image of Djokovic holding up the trophy he won each of the past three years.

Djokovic's ban may have accelerated the inevitable, with fixtures from the past two decades like Swiss maestro Roger Federer and the Williams sisters, Serena and Venus, all missing.

Organisers will be hopeful that spectators warm to the occasion, with Australia's world No.1 Ash Barty a hot favourite to lift the women's crown.

Those that did front got behind Aleksandar Vukic, who claimed his first win at a grand slam with a stirring four-set upset victory over South Africa's 30th seed Lloyd Harris.

"This is totally a dream," Vukic said after receiving a rousing standing ovation from the Court 3 crowd.

"Especially this court, with all these guys. I mean, I came here as a kid and I was watching the Aussies play here. To play here, myself, and to get the win ... I can't put it into words."

Vukic said he was nervous closing out the match but overjoyed to take the win in front of his emotional parents and family.

"These guys were with me every point," he said.

"I knew I wasn't alone. I couldn't have done it without them. This is a dream."

Barty was scheduled to take on Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko and is a hot favourite to break Australia's infamous 44-year Open title drought.

© AAP 2022

Australia will send a surveillance flight to help Tonga assess tsunami damage after an underwater volcano eruption.

The P-8 plane is set to reach Tongan airspace by 9am on Monday to gather information on critical infrastructure such as roads, ports and powerlines.

The flight is part of a coordinated response by Australia and New Zealand, which will also send a surveillance aircraft on Monday.

"While communications remain limited we are continuing to receive regular updates through our High Commission in Tonga, with early reports of substantial ash coverage around (capital) Nuku'alofa and coastal inundation and damage to infrastructure," a Department of Foreign Affairs statement said.

Australia is also preparing humanitarian assistance through a flight from Brisbane which should be ready to go on Monday but - like the surveillance flights - will be subject to weather conditions.

"Australia will work in partnership with other Pacific neighbours, including New Zealand, to support Tonga in a COVID-safe way," the statement said.

"Tonga is part of our Pacific family and both the thoughts and the prayers of Australians are with the entire nation, which has been impacted by this natural disaster."

Australians and officials living in Tonga have all been accounted for despite communications being disrupted in the wake of the tsunami that struck the country after the nearby underwater eruption.

The Bureau of Meteorology said the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano erupted at 3.10pm AEDT on Saturday, with tsunami waves observed in the aftermath.

Land warnings were issued earlier for Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island, however these were downgraded and replaced with marine warnings on Sunday morning.

Marine warnings were cancelled for the two islands on Sunday night but remain for coastal areas of NSW.

Tsunami warnings for Macquarie Island and coastal areas of Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania were cancelled on Sunday morning.

Countries around the Pacific were also on alert, with residents in parts of Japan advised to evacuate after waves of more than a metre.

© AAP 2022