Border officials detained Djokovic at Melbourne's airport when he arrived on Wednesday (January 5) evening and revoked the visa he had been granted on the basis of a medical exemption from Australia's strict COVID-19 vaccination requirements.
The 20 grand slam champion has consistently refused to disclose his vaccination status while publicly criticizing vaccine mandates.
The Australian government pushed back on Friday against suggestions by Serbian supporters, including Djokovic's family, that the star player was effectively a prisoner, stressing he is free to leave the country at any time.
