Australia bars Novak Djokovic over vaccination status

Canberra: Australia has cancelled Novak Djokovic‘s visa and denied entry to the men’s number one tennis player, saying he failed to meet the requirements for an exemption to COVID-19 vaccination rules. 

World number one tennis player Novak Djokovic was denied entry into Australia.

Novak Djokovic’s chance to play for a 10th Australian Open title was thrown into limbo Thursday when the country denied him entry and canceled his visa.

Australia's Border Force confirmed Novak’s visa had been revoked, while the source said the player's lawyers planned to file an injunction to prevent his removal. 

Djokovic travelled to Australia after receiving an exemption from the Victorian government, granted after a process that included a panel of health officials. 

On arrival, Federal Border Force officials at the airport said Djokovic was unable to justify the grounds for his exemption.

The sportsmen, however, transported to a quarantine hotel in Melbourne after being held at the city's airport overnight and was told he would be removed from the country later on Thursday. 

Meanwhile, the move by the Australian government to block his entry caused ructions between Canberra and Belgrade.

Previously, Djokovic has consistently refused to disclose his vaccination status while publicly criticising mandatory vaccines and has steadfastly refused to acknowledge whether he received any shots against the virus.

Concerns about Djokovic’s visa status started building Wednesday. 

The Serbian star has won nine titles at Melbourne Park including the last three, but his anti-vaccination stance means he faces a tough crowd to take his tenth in Victoria.