Djokovic stays to fight for place at Open after Czech leaves Australia

Renata Voracova has become the second tennis player to have been instructed to leave Australia.

The doubles specialist from the Czech Republic chose to leave the country while world No 1 Novak Djokovic – who is hoping to defend his Australian Open title in Melbourne – is being held in an immigration centre.

Djokovic, 34, has appealed against the decision to cancel his visa due to pandemic rules but must wait until Monday to hear his fate.

Voracova, 38, had already played in a warm-up tournament in Melbourne and had entered Australia on the understanding she had a valid exemption certificate having recently recovered from Covid-19.

National authorities insisted she also needed to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

A spokeswoman from the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “Renata Voracova decided to give up further participation in the tournament due to the limited possibility of training and to leave Australia.”

She added a protest note had been filed with the Australian authorities and an explanation of the situation sought.

The Australian Border Force added a visa for a third person connected to the Open had also been cancelled.

Djokovic, who is spending the weekend in Melbourne’s Park Hotel – used to house asylum seekers and refugees – said on Instagram: “Thank you to people around the world for your continuous support. I can feel it.”

His wife Jelena posted too, adding: “The only law that we should all respect across every single border is love and respect for another human being.”

Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said: “As people come into Australia, they need to have met our entry requirements as well as having a visa.

“They stand the risk if they come in and don’t have the proper documentation, that they will be stopped at the border.”