The Serbian world setter received a medical exemption from both the Australian Tennis Federation and the state of Victoria to be able to participate in the Australian Open without being fully vaccinated.

But at the border staff at the airport in Melbourne, it stopped for Novak Djokovic.

There, either a certificate of double vaccination or a certificate of medical exemption is required to be admitted into the country - something that Djokovic lacked.

- It is up to them (the travelers) to have evidence that shows why they do not need to be vaccinated.

He failed to provide that evidence to border officials last night, said Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

"Suffered enough"

Rafael Nadal, who is already in Australia for this year's first grand slam tournament, believes that Djokovic has made it difficult for himself by giving up the vaccine.

- The only thing I can do is trust what medical experts say, and if they think we have to get vaccinated, then we have to.

That is my opinion, he says.

- The only thing that is certain is that if you are vaccinated, you can play the Australian Open and everywhere else, and the world has suffered enough not to follow the rules.

Djokovic must live with the consequences of his choice, says Nadal.

- He makes his own decisions, and everyone is free to make their own decisions, but there are consequences.

- I do not like what happens, of course.

Somehow I feel sorry for him.

But at the same time, he has known the conditions for several months, so he makes his own choice.

Irritation in Australia

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.

- I think it is understandable that people in Australia are frustrated by the situation because they have gone through tough shutdowns, and many people have not had the opportunity to travel back home, says Nadal.

Djokovic is currently in custody at a quarantine hotel in Melbourne.

He has appealed the decision to deport him, and his fate appears to be decided only on Monday.

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Fans of Novak Djokovic have gathered outside the hotel in Melbourne where he was taken after questioning at the airport.

Photo: TT