Supporters gathered outside a Melbourne hotel believed to be holding tennis player Novak Djokovic after the world No 1 had his visa to enter the country revoked.
The Serb was transported to a quarantine hotel in Melbourne after being held at the city's airport overnight before border forces announced he had not met entry rules regarding Covid vaccination exemptions and would be deported.
Several anti-vaccination protesters, many of them holding Serbia flags, gathered outside Park Hotel in the suburb of Carlton where Djokovic is staying pending his removal from the country after his visa was cancelled by the Australian Border Force.
Djokovic, 34, was due to play in the Australian Open, starting January 17, where he was set to defend his title, after being exempted from vaccination rules. However, the Australian Border Force said he had provided insufficient proof despite earlier being granted a medical exemption to play the Australian Open.
Djokovic’s lawyers are appealing against the decision, and the star will be flown out of the country later on Thursday, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
A nine-time winner at Melbourne Park, Djokovic is bidding to be become the most successful men's player in history, He is currently tied on 20 Grand Slam titles with rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
Djokovic's 20 Grand Slam titles
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2008: Novak Djokovic beats Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 4–6, 6–4, 6–3, 7–6 to win the Australian Open. -
2011: Djokovic beats Andy Murray 6–4, 6–2, 6–3 to win the Australian Open . -
2011: Novak Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal 6–4, 6–1, 1–6, 6–3 to win Wimbledon. -
2011: Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal 6–2, 6–4, 6–7, 6–1 to win the US Open. -
2012: Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal 5–7, 6–4, 6–2, 6–7, 7–5 to win the Australian Open. -
2013: Djokovic beats Andy Murray 6–7, 7–6, 6–3, 6–2 to win the Australian Open. -
2014: Djokovic triumphs 6–7, 6–4, 7–6, 5–7, 6–4 against Roger Federer for the Wimbledon title. -
2015: Djokovic beats Andy Murray 7–6, 6–7, 6–3, 6–0 for victory at the Australian Open. -
2015: Djokovic beats Roger Federer 7-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 to win Wimbledon. -
2015: Djokovic beats Roger Federer 6–4, 5–7, 6–4, 6–4 to win the US Open. -
2016: Djokovic beats Andy Murray 6-1, 7-5, 7-6 to win the Australian Open. -
2016: Djokovic beats Andy Murray 3–6, 6–1, 6–2, 6–4 for the French Open. -
2018: Djokovic crushes Kevin Anderson 6–2, 6–2, 7–6 to win Wimbledon. -
2018: Djokovic beats Juan Martin del Potro 6–3, 7–6, 6–3 for his third US Open. -
2019: Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 for victory at the Australian Open. -
2019: Djokovic beats Roger Federer 7-6, 1-6, 7-6, 4-6, 13-12 to win Wimbledon. -
2020: Djokovic triumphs 6–4, 4–6, 2–6, 6–3, 6–4 against Dominic Thiem for the Australian Open. -
2021: Djokovic celebrates a 7–5, 6–2, 6–2 victory against Daniil Medvedev to win his ninth Australian Open. -
2021: Djokovic beats Stefanos Tsitsipas 6–7, 2–6, 6–3, 6–2, 6–4 for his second French Open. -
2021: Djokovic beats Matteo Berrettini 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 to win Wimbledon for the sixth time.
