Photo: TPN/Getty
Novak Djokovic, the world’s top men’s tennis player, will not be competing in the Australian Open after border authorities revoked his visa for failing to meet the country’s strict COVID-19 vaccination requirement.
The tennis star hadreceived a medical exemptionfrom Tennis Australia in order to compete in the Grand Slam tournament, but the Australian Border Force announced Wednesday that the exemption was not sufficient.
“The Australian Border Force will continue to ensure that those who arrive at our border comply with our laws and entry requirements,” the agencywrote in a statement. “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 cancelled.”
As a result, the Serbian tennis player will be deported from Australia immediately, border officials said.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrisonissued a statementon Twitter about Djokovic’s deportation, writing: “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.”
Djokovic landed in Melbourne, Wednesday, and was reportedly denied entry after his team mistakingly requested a sub-class visa, which does not apply to anyone with a medical exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the British news outletThe Times.
Just one day prior, Djokovichad announcedhe was granted the medical exemption to compete in the Grand Slam tournament.
On Wednesday, theAssociated Pressalso reported Djokovic would need to prove vaccine exemption ahead of the Australian Open or leave the country.
“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,” said Home affairs minister, Karen Andrews.
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“If an arriving individual is not vaccinated, they must provide acceptable proof that they cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons to be able to access the same travel arrangement as fully vaccinated travelers.”
The medical exception was mandatory for Djokovic to compete in the tournament, and would allow him to do so regardless of his vaccination status, which he has never publicly confirmed.
Novak Djokovic returns the ball during an exhibition tournament in Zadar, Croatia.Zvonko Kucelin/AP/Shutterstock
Tiley told reporters before the star’s visa was denied that the process for entry was “completely legitimate application and process” and insisted that Djokovic was not given special treatment.
Neither Australian Open officials nor Djokovic has publicly acknowledged his visa cancellation.
Djokovic is a nine-time Australian Open singles champion. He is currently on his way to scoring a record 21st Grand Slam victory.
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source: people.com
