Australia on Thursday canceled the visa of Novak Djokovic, who arrived at Melbourne airport on Wednesday without the necessary documents to enter the country.
The world tennis n ° 1, who has never hidden his skepticism about the vaccination, had obtained a medical exemption to be able to travel to Melbourne to play the first Grand Slam tournament of the year ( January 17-30), which he has already won nine times.
“Mr. Djokovic did not provide the appropriate information to enter Australia and his visa was therefore canceled. Foreign nationals who do not have a valid visa or whose visa has been canceled will be detained and deported from Australia, ”Customs said.
A form error
According to the Australian press, the nine-time winner of the Australian Open would not have filled out the correct form to apply for a visa and the visa he requested does not authorize a medical exemption.
Djokovic, silent on his vaccination status, has been in the crosshairs of the Australian political class since he announced that he had obtained a medical exemption to participate in the Australian Open.
Serbia reacts
In Belgrade, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Wednesday accused Australia of “bad treatment” of Djokovic.
Claiming to have spoken to the world’s No. 1 tennis player on the phone, the head of state said on Instagram that “all of Serbia was with him (Djokovic)” and that “the authorities were taking all necessary measures to ensure that the ill-treatment of the best tennis player in the world ceases as soon as possible ”.
Earlier in the day, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison had announced at a press conference, await proof of the exemption. Djokovic, 34, never said whether or not he was vaccinated against Covid-19.
“If that evidence is insufficient, then he will not be treated any differently from anyone else, and he will return home on the first plane.” There will be no special rule for Novak Djokovic. Not the least ”, insisted the Prime Minister.