Novak Djokovic to be deported from Australia

Novak Djokovic, the Serbian tennis player, is set to be deported from Australia after he failed to provide enough evidence to justify entry into the country despite being granted an exemption on medical grounds to play at this month’s Australian Open without being vaccinated against Covid-19.

Djokovic landed at Tullamarine Airport in Melbourne overnight and was detained by the Australian Border Force, which controls immigration into the country. Scott Morrison, Australia’s prime minister, had already warned that the tennis player would be “on the next plane home” if he could not prove to authorities Why he was exempt from vaccination — a condition of entry into Australia — while local media reports emerged that he had incorrectly filed his visa application.

After hours in detention, Djokovic — who had access to his phone — was told he would be deported on Thursday morning.

“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 border force said in a statement. “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.”

Morrison had said on Wednesday, with the tennis player already in the air on his way to the country, that Djovokic would have to prove why he was exempt from vaccination or he could be turned away. “So there should be no special rules for Novak Djokovic at all. None whatsoever,” he told reporters.

He added: “If medical exemptions have been provided by medical professionals and that’s been furnished to him as a proviso for him to get on that plane, well, that will have to stack up when he arrives in Australia.”

Reuters reported that Djovokic would legally challenge the decision to cancel his visa and could stay in the country in quarantine until that is resolved.

Djokovic, the defending Australian Open men’s champion, has opposed mandatory Covid-19 vaccination. The decision to allow him an exemption to play in the event as an unvaccinated person triggered a furious response from health authorities and much of the Australian public. The country’s Covid numbers have soared to record levels while its testing system has come under strain.

Tennis Australia said on Wednesday that the exemption had been granted to Djokovic — who has refused to confirm his vaccination status — after a “rigorous review process” by two independent panels of experts, including one appointed by the health department in Victoria, the state in which the Australian Open is held.

Happy New Year! Wishing you all health, love & joy in every moment & may you feel love & respect towards all beings on this wonderful planet.

I’ve spent fantastic quality time with loved ones over break & today I’m heading Down Under with an exemption permission. Let’s go 2022! pic.twitter.com/e688iSO2d4

— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 4, 2022

However, the Australian government issued a stern threat that the exemption would not guarantee his entry into Australia. Karen Andrews, the minister for home affairs, said Djokovic and any players who had been granted an exemption would need to provide “acceptable proof” that they could not be vaccinated for medical reasons, in line with other travellers entering Australia.

Craig Tiley, the tournament director, defended the decision to exempt Djokovic and a handful of other players. He said officials had gone “above and beyond” the standard immigration process for unvaccinated travellers into Australia. “Ultimately it’s the decision of the medical experts,” he said.

He reiterated that other players, fans and staff at the tennis competition would have to be fully vaccinated “unless there is a genuine reason why an exemption should be granted” to ensure the safety of participants.

That provoked a strong reaction in Victoria. The state has recently emerged from some of the world’s most stringent lockdown restrictions while its government has mandated that some workers must be fully vaccinated.

Local media have dubbed Djokovic “Novax” and made comparisons with the restrictions placed on the England and Australian cricket players competing in this summer’s Ashes series in Australia.