Novak Djokovic Barred From Entering Australia

Novak Djokovic’s chance to play for a 10th Australian Open title was thrown into limbo early Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022, when the country denied him entry and canceled his visa because he failed to meet the requirements for an exemption to COVID-19 vaccination rules, John Pye reported for the Associated Press (AP).

Photo Insert: The "medical exemption" of the world's top men's player was a bit of a stretch.

The top-ranked Djokovic landed in Australia late Wednesday after receiving a medical exemption from the Victoria state government that would shield him from the strict vaccination rules in place for this year’s first major tennis tournament, which begins Jan. 17.

But border authorities did not accept the exemption. The Australian Border Force issued a statement saying Djokovic failed to meet entry requirements.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said the visa cancellation followed a review of Djokovic’s medical exemption by border officials who looked “at the integrity and the evidence behind it.”

The president of Djokovic’s native Serbia blasted the “harassment” of the star, who was detained overnight at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. The 20-time major winner had to wait more than eight hours at the airport to find out if he would be allowed into the country.

Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison said nobody was above the rules. “Mr. Djokovic’s visa has been canceled. Rules are rules, especially when it comes to our borders,” Morrison posted on Twitter.

“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.”

Hunt said Djokovic was free to appeal the decision. “But if a visa is canceled, somebody will have to leave the country.” Australian media reported that Djokovic’s team applied for the wrong type of visa.

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