Tennis star Novak Djokovic will likely not defend his Australian Open title, as the Australian Border Force announced it had canceled his visa.
After Djokovic initially received a medical exemption for vaccination, the ABF released a statement that he did not have adequate documentation to enter the country.
“The ABF can confirm that Mr. Djokovic failed to provide appropriate evidence to meet the entry requirements to Australia, and his visa has been subsequently canceled,” the statement said. “Non-citizens who do not hold a valid visa on entry or who have had their visa canceled will be detained and removed from Australia.”
Statement on Mr Novak Djokovic @AusBorderForce #AusOpen #auspol pic.twitter.com/UCV5Macth8
— Political Alert (@political_alert) January 5, 2022
The statement added that Djokovic has access to his phone. The Serbian tennis player’s lawyers are seeking an injunction to stop the deportation, according to multiple reports.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison responded in support of the Border Force’s decision. “Rules are rules, especially when it comes to our borders,” he said.
Mr Djokovic’s visa has been cancelled. Rules are rules, especially when it comes to our borders. No one is above these rules. Our strong border policies have been critical to Australia having one of the lowest death rates in the world from COVID, we are continuing to be vigilant.
— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) January 5, 2022
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic posted on his Instagram account that Djokovic has his country’s full support.
“I told our Novak that the whole of Serbia is with him and that our bodies are doing everything to see that the harassment of the world’s best tennis player is brought to an end immediately,” Vucic said.
Djokovic’s coach, Goran Ivanisevic, and support staff were granted access at Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport, according to Australian sports journalist Clint Stanaway. The journalist tweeted that Djokovic is being transported to a federal government quarantine hotel in Melbourne while a return flight is arranged.
UPDATE: Novak Djokovic to remain in Melbourne for the time being – but ultimately, it’s likely to be a day trip. He’s about to be transported to a City quarantine hotel, run by the Federal Govt. Arrangements are now underway to source a return flight to Europe, likely today.
— Clint Stanaway (@cstanaway) January 5, 2022
WATCH: CONCERNS OVER NOVAK DJOKOVIC’S VISA AND VACCINATION STATUS DELAY ENTRY TO AUSTRALIA
Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said Wednesday in a statement that allowances may be made by organizations and states, but border entrance is left to the federal government.
“While the Victorian government and Tennis Australia may permit a non-vaccinated player to compete in the Australian Open, it is the Commonwealth government that will enforce our requirements at the Australian border,” Andrews said.
Australian Open Director Craig Tiley stands by the rigorous exemption application process.
“Djokovic applied for a medical exemption, which was granted following a rigorous review process involving two separate independent panels of medical experts,” the Australian Open said in a statement. “One of those was the Independent Medical Exemption Review Panel appointed by the Victorian Department of Health. They assessed all applications to see if they met the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (ATAGI) guidelines.”
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Djokovic’s exemption is the only of its kind to be publicized to date, but he is among “a handful” of players and officials who received exemptions out of 26 applications, according to Tiley.
