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Australia does not allow Novak Djokovic to enter

KShortly after landing in Melbourne, the farce about tennis superstar Novak Djokovic took a sudden turn. Despite his controversial medical exemption for the start at the Australian Open, the border guards refused entry to the probably unvaccinated Serb because his visa was obviously invalid. A few hours later, the Australian government canceled Djokovic’s visa, the Australian news agency AAP reported on Wednesday evening. The number one in the tennis world rankings was informed that he will now have to leave Australia on Thursday.

The Australian Border Force issued a statement early Thursday stating that Djokovic had failed to provide adequate evidence to meet entry requirements and that “the visa was subsequently canceled”. Australian media reported, however, that Djokovic’s team had applied for the wrong visa.

Djokovic was detained at a Melbourne airport for several hours after arriving in Australia on Wednesday after Australian border protection authorities raised concerns about the entry visa. According to the media, the documents submitted by Djokovic did not provide for medical exemptions for unvaccinated people. The authorities of the Australian state of Victoria contacted therefore refused to support him. His son was held in a guarded room, his father Srdjan Djokovic told the Internet portal B92. “Novak is currently in a room that no one can enter,” he said. “There are two policemen outside the room,” he added.

A “slap in the face for all Australians”

Even before the 34-year-old arrived in Australia, a wave of indignation had built up in the host country of the first Grand Slam tournament of the season. The exception permit for Djokovic caused “anger and confusion”, as the broadcaster ABC called it. Other comments ranged from “slap in the face for all Australians” to “slap in the face for millions of Australians”. Tournament director Craig Tiley defended the controversial decision, but asked the 20-time Grand Slam winner to give his reasons.

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“I was also absolutely surprised,” said the German Davis Cup captain Michael Kohlmann on Wednesday of the German press agency. “There are still many question marks. Hopefully they will be answered in the next days and weeks until the start. ”The tournament starts on January 17th in Melbourne. Only players who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus or who have received a medical exemption are allowed to take part.

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