Novak Djokovic: Australia Cancels Top Tennis Player's Visa

By Daily Sports on January 6, 2022

Tennis star Novak Djokovic has had his visa to enter Australia dramatically revoked on his arrival in Melbourne.

The world number one was held in the city's airport for several hours before border forces announced he had not met entry rules and would be deported.

It came a day after he was granted an exemption from vaccination rules to play in the Australian Open.

Australian PM Scott Morrison said no one was above the rules, and Djokovic is reportedly challenging the decision.

Shortly after his arrival in Melbourne, authorities noticed that his team had not requested a visa that permits medical exemptions for being unvaccinated. Djokovic has not spoken about his vaccination status, but last year he said he was "opposed to vaccination".

It is not clear whether the player will remain in Australia while his lawyers attempt to overturn the decision.

In a statement, the Australian Border Force said Djokovic "failed to provide appropriate evidence to meet the entry requirements to Australia, and his visa has been subsequently cancelled.

"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," it added.

Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt told Channel 7 News Sunrise programme: "Australians have had to do it tough, and Australians in many different states and territories have to show their vaccination record... it's not unreasonable to have exactly the same requirements of all who enter this country."

Prime Minister Scott Morrison tweeted: "Rules are rules, especially when it comes to our borders. No one is above these rules." ​

His treatment has provoked outrage in his native Serbia. His father, Srdjan Djokovic said his son was had been in a room guarded by police.

"This is not just a fight for Novak, but a fight for the whole world," he said in a statement released to the media.

President Aleksander Vucic said the star was a victim of "harassment", and that "the whole of Serbia", supported him.

Australia is seeing tens of thousands of Covid-19 cases for the first time after enduring some of the world's strictest restrictions. More than 90% of Australia's over-16 population is fully vaccinated, but some people still cannot travel interstate or globally because of current measures.

Many Australians had previously accused the government of allowing the rich and famous to do as they please while ordinary people remained separated from sick and dying loved ones.

The Australian Open begins on 17 January in Melbourne. Djokovic has previously won the tournament nine times. (BBC)

•PHOTO: Djokovic

Source Daily Sports

Posted January 6, 2022


 

You may also like...
Scholes Resigns as Oldham Manager After Only 31...

Kalu Close To Joining Fenerbahce

Sammy Ameobi joins Bolton Wanderers

Rafael Nadal fires dig at Barcelona defender Gerard...

Bernard Goal Sees Everton Edge Nine-Goal FA Cup...

Napoli President Hints At Koulibaly Exit

 

Latest News Hearn slams Ngannou over Joshua defeat excuse Chelsea eye Martinez to replace Osimhen Visa unveils Amusan, Nwachukwu as global ambassadors I’m not under pressure to coach Eagles – Finidi Super Eagles focused on World Cup qualifiers – Omeruo Ibrahim: Striker who wants to emulate Lukaku at Chelsea Boniface ranked best African performer in Europe Napoli may reduce Osimhen price tag Mali beat Nigeria 2-0 in international friendly NOC commends Team Nigeria, government, media for victory at African Games JOF U-13 Cup: 8 Clubs Qualify For Quarterfinals Osimhen resumes training, fit for Atalanta clash

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (53,401 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (44,406 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (42,548 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (42,225 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (42,006 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (41,888 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (41,772 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (41,229 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (40,277 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (39,186 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (37,640 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (37,216 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media