Novak Djokovic’s visa is denied as world No 1 faces deportation from Australia

Letters prove Tennis Australia were told on multiple occasions that contracting Covid was not a valid reason for an exemption as the PM cast doubt on Novak Djokovic’s claims. READ THE LETTERS

Two letters from the Department of Health sent to Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley have cast doubt over Novak Djokovic’s medical exemption for the Australian Open.

The letters clearly stipulate that players that were unvaccinated but had contracted Covid in the past six months would be denied quarantine-free travel.

The letters were released after Djokovic was denied a visa upon arrival at Melbourne Airport.

The world No.1 touched down at 11pm AEDT Wednesday night and was held under police guard until it was confirmed at 10am AEDT Thursday he would not be granted entry.

According to reports, Djokovic had applied for an exemption based on the fact he had caught the virus in the past six months.

The first letter said: “People who have previously had COVID-19 and not received a vaccine dose are not considered fully vaccinated”.

It adds that these people would “not be approved for quarantine-free entry, regardless of whether they have received foreign vaccination exemptions”.

The same advice was shared in the second letter dated November 29, 2021.

PM WEIGHS IN ON NON-EXISTENT EXEMPTION

There has been little sympathy within Australia for Djokovic who the Prime Minister says has no one to blame but himself as he faces deportation.

Djokovic had his visa cancelled in an incredible twist that could result in him being flown out of Australia as early as tonight (Thursday). but according to the PM the medical exemption that the world No.1 claimed to have been granted “was never in place”.

Australian Border Force made the decision on the grounds that he has failed to provide appropriate evidence to meet the requirements to enter the country.

A federal government source said he failed to provide proof that he had a legitimate medical exemption to vaccination.

It is believed that Djokovic has been transported to a quarantine hotel in Carlton and is expected to leave Australia on a flight later tonight.

On his official website, the Australian Open has been deleted from his schedule.

Addressing the media, the PM said: “On the issue of Mr Djokovic, rules are rules and there are no special cases. That is the policy of our government particularly in relation to the pandemic.

“I want to thank the ADF officers for doing their job. Entry required is double vaxxed or an exemption. I am advised such an exemption was not in place so he is subject to the same rules as everyone else.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic looks set to be deported from Australia.

“Ultimately this is the responsibility of the traveller. It is for them to travel to a country and be consistent with our rules. That event will play out as it should.

“He provided information to the airline to allow his entry, but that is not an assurance he will be allowed to enter at the other side.

“He (Djokovic) was unable to furnish that proof.

“What actions he takes now is a matter for him. The government’s actions for him are clear and that is for him to return to his country.”

WHY HIS VISA WAS DENIED

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has confirmed the visa cancellation following “overview of the exemption provided by the Victorian government process”.

“Essentially, (Border Force) reviewed the exemption process and the material and made requests of Victoria as to whether or not Victoria could validate what they provided, and neither Victoria nor Mr Djokovic could, and so one rule for all, we’ve been very clear, very strong on that,” he told ABC.

“The ABF can confirm Mr Djokovic failed to provide appropriate evidence to meet the entry requirements to Australia, and the visa has been subsequently cancelled.

Novak Djokovic’s updated schedule on his official website… pic.twitter.com/FGJj0Bpuvq

— Michal Samulski (@MichalSamulski) January 5, 2022

“That’s been a clear policy of the government to make sure that everybody’s treated equally.“

“Australians in so many cases have to show their own vaccination status in order to enter cafes or other things. It’s not unreasonable that other people have to provide equivalent evidence.

“It is a matter for him whether he wishes to appeal that. But if a visa is cancelled somebody will have to leave the country.”

The Herald Sun understands that three other players with similar exemptions to Djokovic’s have already entered the country without incident, and that the World No. 1’s lawyers are already preparing to challenge the ruling in court.

“Deportation!” Srdjan Djokovic later posted on Instagram after Australia’s decision.

“Our pride, our Novak is returning ... We should all welcome him as deserved!”

Djokovic is now facing deportation

“That’s wild,” anti-vax tennis player Tennys Sandgren said as the news broke.

“It seemed like he cleared all the hurdles, but this is all pretty astonishing.

“This is sport, he’s come to play tennis, but this is something else entirely.

“Everyone is asking what are the reasons and what is the hold up at this point.”

Djokovic had been stranded at Melbourne airport since arriving in Australia about 11pm Wednesday (AEDT) when an incredible visa drama began.

According to Djokovic’s father Srdjan, his son was “isolated in a room” at the airport without his entourage or mobile phone.

“Novak is currently in a room which no one can enter,” Srdjan Djokovic, told the B92 internet portal. “In front of the room are two policemen.

“I have no idea what is going on.

“They are holding my son captive. If they don’t release him in the next half an hour, we will gather on the street, this is a fight for everyone.”

It appears the dream of a 10th Aus Open title in 2022 is over.

DIPLOMATIC ROW

The matter has escalated in the last few hours with Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic now involved.

Shortly after 8am AEDT, Vucic announced he had spoken with Djokovic on the phone and told him: “Our authorities are doing everything to see that the harassment of the world’s best tennis player is brought to an end immediately.’

Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews says the Morrison government would not apologise for the cancellation of Djokovic’s visa.

“The Morrison government makes no apologies for our strong border protection arrangements. Australians know we will uphold the integrity of our border,” Ms Andrews said.

Mr Djokovic’s visa has been cancelled. Rules are rules, especially when it comes to our borders. No one is above these rules. Our strong border policies have been critical to Australia having one of the lowest death rates in the world from COVID, we are continuing to be vigilant.

— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) January 5, 2022

“Every single person seeking to enter Australia must comply with our strict border requirements – no one gets special treatment. Individuals who do not meet our strict requirements will be denied entry to Australia, it doesn’t matter who they are.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison took to Twitter and said: “Mr Djokovic’s visa has been cancelled. Rules are rules, especially when it comes to our borders.

“No one is above these rules. Our strong border policies have been critical to Australia having one of the lowest death rates in the world from Covid, we are continuing to be vigilant.”

HOW DID IT COME TO THIS?

The Herald Sun understands that Djokovic was being held while border force officials assess whether he has sufficient evidence to enter Australia with a vaccination exemption.

Tennis and state government officials confirmed on Wednesday that the defending Australian Open champion – who has vocally opposed vaccinations – had been granted an exemption to compete in the grand slam.

They refused to detail the grounds on which the exemption had been granted but said having had coronavirus during the previous six months met the criteria.

Under Australia’s border regulations, a federal source said: “If he’s not vaxxed, it just requires him to present a valid medical exemption”.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said on Thursday morning: “Unvaccinated people, as a general rule, cannot come into Australia unless there is a medical exemption.

“That (medical exemption) process has been led by the Victorian government.

“My understanding is that the Border Force is reviewing that.”

The news of the latest drama broke just as Djokovic’s flight into Melbourne was landing, with a source saying the case could take a few hours or even up to a day to resolve. The source did not rule out the tennis star being booted out of the country.

Djokovic was still being detained as of 7am AEDT.

Djokovic and his entourage have been held at Melbourne airport

STATE VS FED

The state and federal governments traded blows on Thursday morning over how the extraordinary visa spat has played out – and who was responsible.

In a late night tweet last night, Acting Sports and Major Events Minister Jaala Pulford said the federal government had asked Victoria to formally support Djokovic’s visa application.

“We will not be providing Novak Djokovic with individual visa application support to participate in the 2022 Australian Open grand slam,” she posted at 11.14pm.

“We’ve always been clear on two points: visa approvals are a matter for the federal government, and medical exemptions a matter for doctors.”

A Serbian tennis fan waves a flag as he awaits the arrival of Serbia's tennis champion Novak Djokovic in Melbourne.

Concerns then emerged on Wednesday night that Djokovic was seeking to enter Australia on a visa that did not permit medical exemptions to vaccination, allowing border officials to deny entry.

State government sources said while they were willing to follow the advice of independent doctors who had granted a vaccination exemption, sponsoring his visa was a different matter entirely.

One source said: “They might have to send him back or put him in immigration detention while the issue was ­resolved.”

But the Australian Border Force has this morning issued a statement, contradicting Ms Pulford’s claims.

“(The) Victorian government claims are incorrect, ABF did not request (the) Victorian government support a visa,” a spokeswoman said.

“ABF reached in to Victorian government to validate their public statements about their support for his entry, and whether Victoria had further information related to his medical exemption documentation.”

Djokovic’s coach Goran Ivanisevic, a former player who took out Wimbledon in 2001, posted a selfie to social media from the waiting area of Melbourne Airport in the early hours of Thursday morning.

“Not the most usual trip Down Under,” he wrote.

The post was met with a heap of fans voicing their support for the star.

“You have our support. #WeStandWithNovqk and #TeamDjokovic,” one page wrote.

“Hang in there! #freeNovak,” one added.

Another, titled ‘novakdjokovic_fanpage_’, said: “We are with you.”