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Coronavirus: Tennis star Novak Djokovic denied entry to Australia after visa canceled

MELBOURNE, Australia — Novak Djokovic, the world’s No. 1 men’s tennis player, was denied entry into Australia on Thursday, jeopardizing his title defense in the Australian Open.

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Djokovic, who had been detained at the airport for more than 12 hours, was told that he would not be allowed to enter the country, Nine News Australia reported.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion, who had flown from Dubai to Australia to defend his title, was held in a room overnight after Australian officials questioned the validity of his visa and the evidence supporting a medical exemption from COVID-19, The New York Times reported. The exemption was supposed to allow Djokovic to compete in the event even though he has not been vaccinated, according to the newspaper.

The Age newspaper in Melbourne reported that the nine-time winner of the Australian Open had landed Wednesday before midnight local time at Tullamarine Airport, but his entry was delayed because of a mistake with his visa application.

Australian health minister Greg Hunt confirmed that Djokovic had been unable to provide “appropriate standards of proof” to justify his exemption, according to Eurosport.

“It’s one rule for all under this Australian government,” Hunt said at a news conference.

Officials from the Serbian embassy and Australia’s ambassador to Serbia were involved in negotiations, along with Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic, the website reported. Vucic wrote on Instagram that he spoke to Djokovic on the phone.

“I told our Novak that the whole of Serbia is with him,” Vucic said. “And that our authorities are taking all measures to stop the harassment of the best tennis player in the world in the shortest possible period.

“In accordance with all norms of international public law, Serbia will fight for Novak Djokovic, for justice and truth.”

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