Tennis world No. 1 Novak Djokovic challenged Australia’s refusal to let him in, saying that he secured a COVID-19 vaccination exemption because he tested positive last month
In a court filing ahead of a hearing on Monday over his visa cancellation Djokovic said he had received the exemption from tournament organiser Tennis Australia, with a follow-up letter from the Department of Home Affairs saying he was allowed into the country.
"I explained that I had been recently infected with COVID in December 2021 and on this basis I was entitled to a medical exemption in accordance with Australian Government rules and guidance," Djokovic said in the filing about his experience being detained at Melbourne Airport. On Jan. 1, it said, he received a document from Home Affairs telling him his responses indicated that he met "the requirements for a quarantine-free arrival into Australia".The Border Force, a unit of Home Affairs, did not respond to a Reuters request for comment on Saturday.Many countries allow a recent COVID infection as a reason for an exemption from vaccine requirements.
Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said the player had been provided with gluten-free food, tools to exercise and a sim card."We've managed to make sure gluten-free food is delivered to him, as well as exercising tools, a laptop and a sim card so that he is able to be in contact with his family." Customs officers ultimately "pressured" Djokovic to undertake an interview before he had spoken to either, the filing said.
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