Border officials said Djokovic failed to provide appropriate evidence to meet the entry requirements to Australia, and his hopes of defending his Australian Open title later this month now appear over.
Novak Djokovic has been denied entry to Australia by the country’s border force and faces deportation after his visa was cancelled amid a row over his medical exemption from COVID vaccination rules.
The tennis star’s hopes of defending his Australian Open title later this month now appear over.
Border officials said the world number one failed to provide appropriate evidence to meet the country’s entry requirements.
The 34-year-old Serbian player had been held up for several hours at Melbourne airport by a visa error and was ultimately refused entry.
But court documents show that his lawyers are planning to appeal against the decision.
Djokovic, who has repeatedly declined to say whether he has been jabbed against coronavirus, confirmed on Tuesday he had received an exemption to compete in the nation’s top tennis tournament.
But on landing in Melbourne, Victoria, late on Wednesday local time, the 20-time Grand Slam winner was waiting for permission to enter the country after his team had reportedly applied for a visa that does not allow for medical exemptions for being unvaccinated.
The sportsman, left stranded at the airport, has now been issued a letter by the Australian government saying his visa was denied and he would be deported.
He is currently believed to be quarantined at the Park Hotel in the city.
During a news conference, Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters: “On the issue of Mr Djokovic, rules are rules and there are no special cases.
“It’s been our government’s strong border policies and particularly in relation to the pandemic, that has ensured that Australia has one of lowest death rates from COVID anywhere in the world.
“We will continue to make the right decisions when it comes to securing Australian borders in relation to this pandemic.”
Djokovic was ‘left in room guarded by police’
The border force said: “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 ABF (Australian Border Force) can confirm Mr Djokovic had access to his phone.”
Before the announcement, Djokovic’s coach Goran Ivanisevic posted a selfie on Instagram from the airport lounge with the caption: “Not the most usual trip from Down Under.”
Border officials had earlier contacted government officials in Victoria to sponsor Djokovic’s visa.
But they refused to do so and he was forced to wait for hours.
He was questioned by border officials, and his father Srdjan said his son spent time alone in a room guarded by police outside.
SOURCE: SKY NEWS