According to ABC News, the 34-year-old Serb has convinced two panels - one within the Australian Tennis Association and one at the state of Victoria's Ministry of Health - that he should have had the right to participate in the Australian Open without having been fully vaccinated against covid-19.
But the border staff at Melbourne Airport stopped.
There, a certificate of double vaccination or a certificate of medical exemption is required to enter the country, which is the traveler's responsibility, according to Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
- It is up to them to have evidence that shows why they do not need to be vaccinated.
He did not manage to leave that proof to the employees at the border authority last night, Morrison said at a press conference on Thursday.
The President of Serbia works for Djokovic
As Djokovic could not present acceptable documents, his visa was revoked.
The World Cup's tours also reached the highest diplomatic level, when Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in a statement promised that all the country's bodies would "do everything to ensure that the harassment of the world's best tennis players ends immediately".
Morrison stressed that Serbia is a good friend of Australia, and does not believe that the debacle will damage Australia's reputation.
"This is a very specific case that concerns an individual and Australia's sovereign border laws and their fair application," Morrison was quoted as saying by news.com.au.
Many in Australia - who have suffered protracted and extensive shutdowns as a result of the pandemic - have been annoyed that the tennis star would have been granted an exemption, which was seen as some form of special treatment.
Unclear basis for the exception
The Australian Open has denied that Djokovic has been treated differently, and only a handful of the total of 26 people with connections to the tournament who have applied for a medical exemption from the vaccination requirement have been granted it, according to AP.
A total of 3,500 players and surrounding staff will come to Australia for the tournament, which starts on 17 January.
Among the medical exceptions that are acceptable are acute medical conditions, such as having a major operation, suffering from serious side effects from a previous covid vaccine dose, having been covid sick for the past six months or being at risk during the vaccination process. yourself or others as a result of mental illness, according to ABC.
Djokovic has not stated what caused him to be granted an exemption.
He has previously refused to say whether he took the vaccine, but expressed skepticism about it.
He stated in June 2020 that he and his wife tested positive for covid-19.
It is unclear if he has been infected again in the last six months.
Taken to a quarantine hotel
Djokovic is said to have been taken to a quarantine hotel in Melbourne.
His lawyers have filed an appeal against the decision to deport him, reports ABC.
Among other things, it is requested that he be moved to a hotel with a tennis court, and it will also be reviewed whether it is possible to decide the matter before the tournament starts on 17 January.
Fans of the star have gathered outside the hotel to show their support.
With Djokovic's participation in the Australian Open in jeopardy, and Roger Federer injured, the field is open for Spanish Rafael Nadal, who recently had covid-19, to take a historic 21st Grand Slam title and thus take the step of his rivals in the title collection.
Today, all three have 20 each.