Tennis player Novak Djokovic thanked his followers for their support in his dispute with Australia over his visa, which was denied due to his vaccination status.
The tennis star, who would be the defending champion at the Australian Open if permitted to play, thanked his family, his home country of Serbia, and “all good people across the world who are sending [him] support,” also expressing gratitude to “dear God for health” in an Instagram story on Friday.
“Thank you to people around the world for your continuous support. I can feel it, and it is greatly appreciated,” Djokovic said, according to NBC. The story no longer appears on his Instagram.
Australia rejected his visa earlier this week, claiming he failed to prove he received the COVID-19 vaccine. Djokovic, 34, is staying in an immigration detention hotel as he waits for an appeal hearing Monday, the Associated Press reported.
WATCH: CONCERNS OVER NOVAK DJOKOVIC’S VISA AND VACCINATION STATUS DELAY ENTRY TO AUSTRALIA
Australian Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews argued that Djokovic is not being detained and told ABC he is “free to leave any time.”
Djokovic has not said whether he is vaccinated against COVID-19, but he has publicly expressed concerns about vaccination.
While the tournament granted him a medical exemption to get around its vaccine requirement, Australia rejected his visa, saying that he did not meet the country’s requirements. He is challenging the decision in court.
“It is the individual traveler’s responsibility to make sure they have in place all the necessary documentation that is needed to enter Australia,” Andrews said.
The incident has sparked international attention. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic accused Australia of “harassment” and summoned Australia’s ambassador to demand Djokovic be allowed to compete, the Guardian reported.
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Djokovic has won the Australian Open nine times and is one win away from overtaking Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for the most wins in men’s tennis.
The Australia Open is set to start on Jan. 17.
