Serbian Tennis star Novak Djokovic does not fail to provide headlines but unfortunately not every time because of his playing skills and winning trophies. From slapping the ball away in anger and hitting the line judge to refusing to wear a mask while coming to the court for the 2021 Australian Open final, Djokovic is used to getting the attention for wrong reasons, apart from getting the attention after winning titles and breaking records.
So, people were not much surprised when the Serb once again got into the headlines after he was denied entry into Australia and the host nation decided to cancel the entry visa of Djokovic. The move comes right after the 34-year-old tennis player arrived in Australia after getting a medical exemption from the tight Covid protocols applied in Australia.
"Mr Djokovic failed to provide appropriate evidence to meet the entry requirements to Australia, and his visa has been subsequently cancelled," the Australian Border Force said in a statement.
"Non-citizens who do not hold a valid visa on entry or who have had their visa cancelled will be detained and removed from Australia," the statement further added.
"The Australian Border Force will continue to ensure that those who arrive at our border comply with our laws and entry requirements."
Legal action
And now the current World number one has decided to take up legal action to challenge the validity of his cancellation of visa.
Earlier, tournament chief Craig Tiley expressed that no special favour has been offered to Djokovic and that no special opportunity has been granted to him.
"Any person who met those conditions has been allowed to come in. There's been no special favour. There's been no special opportunity granted to Novak," Tiley said.
'No one is above the rules'
Australian Prime Minister (PM) Scott Morison also joined Tiley and said that “no one is above the rules.”
“Rules are rules, especially when it comes to our borders. No one is above these rules," PM said.
Djokovic’s relation with vaccines has been a topsy-turvy one after the Serb categorically voiced his opinion against vaccines, back in 2020.
“Personally I am not pro-vaccines," said Djokovic in 2020.
The nine-time Australian Open champion, Djokovic is presently tied with Swiss maestro Roger Federer and Spain’s Rafel Nadal in terms of number career Grand Slams (20).
