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January 5, 2022

Novak Djokovic denied entry into Australia after initial COVID-19 medical exemption

Novak Djokovic has been denied entry into Australia after initially being granted a medical exemption for the country's COVID-19 vaccination requirements so that the world's No. 1-ranked tennis player could play in the Australian Open.

Djokovic, left stranded at Melbourne's Tullamanrien airport overnight, was issued a letter by the Australian government saying his visa had been denied and he would be deported.

The Australian Border Force, in a statement issued Thursday, said it "will continue to ensure that those who arrive at our border comply with our laws and entry requirements," and also noted that Djokovic "had access to his phone."

"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," the statement 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."

Djokovic was filing an injunction Thursday to prevent his deportation, a source close to the tournament told Reuters. He had received the medical exemption to play at the first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the season, where he is a nine-time winner and the defending champion.

The exemption would have allowed Djokovic to play regardless of his vaccination status for COVID-19, something he has not disclosed, but he also needed to meet strict border regulations to enter the country.

"Mr Djokovic's visa has been cancelled. Rules are rules, especially when it comes to our borders," Scott Morrison, the prime minister of Australia, tweeted later Thursday. "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."