Novak Djokovic news LIVE: Tennis star issues statement on threat of deportation from Australia

American player John Isner said that Djokovic had followed all the rules and did not deserve to be treated this way.

“What Novak is going through right now is not right,” Isner said on Twitter. “There is no justification for the treatment he is receiving … It’s a shame.”

Novak Djokovic has spoken to thank fans for their support during the Australian visa saga.

Two other people related to the Australian Open have joined Novak Djokovic in receiving instructions from the Australian Border Force to leave the country.

Djokovic has been detained since Thursday morning at an immigration center in Melbourne after his visa was canceled following scrutiny of the medical exemption he had obtained to enter the country.

He has appealed against the decision and must wait for a hearing on Monday to discover his fate, but the furor focused attention on other waivers granted to unvaccinated players who cited a recent infection to access Australia.

A spokesperson for the Australian Border Force told the Palestinian Authority news agency: “The Australian Border Force (ABF) can confirm that its investigation into the visa status of two other people related to the Australian Open has been concluded.

“The ABF can confirm that a person has voluntarily left Australia following the ABF’s consultations.

“We can also confirm that the visa of a third person has been canceled. This person has been detained on immigration grounds pending removal from Australia.

“The ABF employs a multi-level approach to border management. This includes avenues to investigate, locate and detain individuals who have violated our border entry requirements after their arrival in Australia. “

The Professional Tennis Players Association, an organization founded by Djokovic and Canadian player Vasek Pospisil, has issued a statement after contacting the world’s number one.

It stated: “The PTPA has been in close contact with Mr. Djokovic, his family and legal advisers, government officials and the management of the Australian Open. Mr Djokovic has shown us his well-being.

“He has also requested that we allow him to personally share the facts of his arrest in his own words and in his own time.”

Hours earlier, Djokovic’s father claimed that the world’s number one has been made a scapegoat and “crucified” in line.

In Belgrade, Srdjan Djokovic demonstrated in front of the National Assembly buildings and addressed a press conference to highlight what he perceived as an injustice in Australia.

“He fulfilled all the conditions required for entry and participation in the tournament that he would undoubtedly have won, since he is Novak, the best tennis player and athlete in the world,” said Srdjan Djokovic at a press conference on Thursday.

“Jesus was crucified and endured many things, but he still lives among us. Novak is also crucified … He will resist. “

Srdjan Djokovic had also said that his son was being unfairly singled out.

“Novak and his team submitted the same documents as 25 other tennis players (who received exemptions) and they had no problem, just Novak,” Djokovic senior said in an interview broadcast by Sky News.

Australian Nick Kyrgios intervened on Twitter to ask his country to “do better” in its treatment of Djokovic.

The world’s 93rd wrote: “Look, I definitely believe in taking action, I got vaccinated for others and for my mother’s health, but the way we are handling Novak’s situation is bad, very bad.

“Like these memes, headlines, this is one of our great champions, but at the end of the day, he’s human. Do it better. “

There was a small crowd outside the Park Hotel on Friday in Melbourne, where someone who gave her name only as Tatjana told the Palestinian Authority news agency that the tennis player “does not deserve to be in this refugee camp.”

“I am here to support Novak, to free him, because I think he does not deserve what the Australian government has done to him and it is not true when they said in the media that they treat everyone the same,” Tatjana said.

“I think Novak does not deserve to be in this refugee camp and I don’t think you will see any other tennis player in this refugee camp.”

Novak Djokovic’s wife, Jelena, has expressed her gratitude to the player’s fans for “using her voice to send love to my husband” while being detained in Australia in line with authorities for a coronavirus medical exemption.

The Serb is in a quarantined hotel awaiting the outcome of an appeal against the Australian Border Force (ABF) decision to cancel the entry visa of the reigning Australian Open champion and deport him.

In Instagram and Twitter posts on the occasion of Christmas in Serbia, Jelena Djokovic wrote: “Thank you dear ones, all over the world for using your voice to send love to my husband.

“I am taking deep breaths to calm myself and find gratitude (and understanding) right now for all that is happening.

“The only law that we should all respect at all borders is love and respect for another human being.

“Love and forgiveness are never a mistake, but a powerful force. I wish you all the best! “

Our main story this morning:

At least three other Australian Open entrants with the same medical exemption as Novak Djokovic are already in the country with possibly more arriving within the next week. One of those three, Renata Voracova, has been arrested.

The political fallout, both domestically and abroad, intensified overnight when Djokovic’s legal team prepared documents intended to extend his stay after a hearing in federal court in Melbourne on Monday.

A second Australian Open participant has been detained in a raid by authorities on those who entered the country under the same immunization exemption as Novak Djokovic, Czech authorities and ABC reported on Friday.

Czech Republic doubles specialist Renata Voracova had played in Melbourne earlier this week but was asked to leave Australia after being detained by Border Force officials. It was unclear whether he intended to challenge the decision, ABC reported, citing a source familiar with the matter.

The 38-year-old made her Grand Slam debut in doubles in 2002 in New York, but has only won one match in 12 appearances at the highest level and is currently ranked 81st.

She is currently being held at the Park Hotel in Carlton, the same detention hotel where Djokovic is being held.

Internal Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said Thursday that authorities were re-evaluating the entry documents of two people following the drama involving Djokovic.

In another development, the Herald Sun published a fact sheet sent from Tennis Australia to players on December 7 showing that it passed advice on the reasons for medical exemptions that differ from recommendations it received from federal authorities.

The document warns that a COVID-19 infection in the last six months could be considered a reason that would allow an unvaccinated player to enter the country, provided it was accompanied by documents certifying the infection.

It contradicts the advice the federal government sent to TA in November, emphasizing that a previous infection in the last six months did not meet the requirements for quarantine-free entry.

The Victorian government said on Friday that TA did not inform them of this development.

TA has not commented publicly since Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley defended the exemption granted to Djokovic on Wednesday as the Serb was heading to Australia.