Tennis star, Novak Djokovic has arrived in Melbourne to defend his Australian Open crown but he hasn’t been allowed into the country because the visa his team mistakenly applied for does not allow medical exemptions for the unvaccinated.
The world number one touched down on a Emirates flight from Dubai around 11.30pm Wednesday night AEST, just 24 hours after confirmation of his quest to become the greatest men’s player of all time.
Djokovic’s exemption not to be vaccinated has sparked widespread uproar with many calling Djokovic to ‘own up’ to the reason for his exemption or face hostility from spectators.
According to Sports Mail, Â Federal Border Force officials contacted the Victorian government late on Wednesday night to ask it to formally support the visa application, which is needed to allow him to ‘work’ at the Open.
Sources claimed Djokovic entered Australia on a visa that doesn’t permit medical exemptions for being unvaccinated, The Age reported.
Acting sports minister Jaala Pulford said the state government would not support the application.
‘The Federal Government has asked if we will support Novak Djokovic’s visa application to enter Australia,’ she tweeted.
‘We will not be providing Novak Djokovic with individual visa application support to participate in the 2022 Australian Open Grand Slam.
‘We’ve always been clear on two points: visa approvals are a matter for the Federal Government, and medical exemptions a matter for doctors.’
This comes after Australia’s Prime Minister, Scott Morrison said the tennis World No1 will ‘be on the next plane home’ if he cannot state the reason behind his ‘medical exemption’ from being vaccinated to play in the Australian Open.
