GAME, SET & VAX

Shock for Djokovic as Aussies cancel his visa and refuse to let him enter the country

NOVAK DJOKOVIC was denied entry to Australia last night over an issue with his visa in an incredible late twist to his extraordinary bid to play in the Australian Open.

The world No.1 flew Down Under yesterday after being granted a controversial medical exemption to play the first Grand Slam of the year without being vaccinated against Covid.

But the Serb was detained at Melbourne’s Tullamarine airport after being refused entry because of a mistake in the visa application by his team.

He was then issued with a letter by the Australian government saying his visa had been denied and that he would be deported.

But the 20-time Grand Slam champion was last night filing an injunction to prevent his deportation as his case escalated into a diplomatic row between Australia and Serbia. It was not clear whether he could be flying home right away, or placed into a quarantine hotel.

A day of drama Down Under had started with Aussie PM Scott Morrison (below) insisting there should be no “special rules” for the tennis star.

And Djokovic’s father Srdan went on Serbian TV last night to claim his son had been “isolated in a room” and guarded by police.

“They are holding my son captive,” he said. “If they don’t release him in the next half an hour, we will gather on the street, this is a fight for everyone.”

Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic posted on Instagram last night: “I’ve just finished my telephone conversation with Novak Djokovic.

“I told our Novak that the whole of Serbia is with him and that our bodies are doing everything to see that the harassment of the world’s best tennis player is brought to an end immediately.

“In line with all norms of international law, Serbia will fight for Novak, truth and justice. Novak is strong, as we all know.” But in a spat between central and Victorian state government in Australia, federal Health Minister Greg Hung confirmed the visa had been cancelled following an “overview of the exemption provided buy the Victorian government process”.

He added: “The Australian Border Force can confirm Mr Djokovic failed to provide appropriate evidence to meet the entry requirements to Australia and his visa has been subsequently cancelled.

“It is a matter for him whether he wishes to appeal that.

“But if a visa is cancelled somebody will have to leave the country.”