Tennis star and world number one Novak Djokovic has had his visa to enter Australia dramatically revoked on his arrival in Melbourne.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion was held in the city’s airport for several hours before border forces announced he had not met entry rules and would be deported.
It came a day after he was granted an exemption from vaccination rules to play in the Australian Open.
Australian PM Scott Morrison said no one was above the rules, and Djokovic is reportedly challenging the decision.
Shortly after his arrival in Melbourne, authorities noticed that his team had not requested a visa that permits medical exemptions for being unvaccinated.
In a statement, the Australian Border Force said Djokovic “failed to provide appropriate evidence to meet the entry requirements to Australia, and his visa has been subsequently cancelled.
“Non-citizens who do not hold a valid visa on entry or who have had their visa cancelled will be detained and removed from Australia,” it added.