Novak Djokovic told ‘rules are rules’ after his Australian visa is cancelled

Australian Open
Novak Djokovic in action

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison took a parting shot at Novak Djokovic after his visa to enter the country was revoked, stating that “no one is above the rules”.

The world No 1’s hopes of defending his Australian Open title took a near-fatal blow on Thursday when the Australian Border Force announced that Djokovic would not be allowed to enter the country as he “failed to provide appropriate evidence to meet the entry requirements to Australia, and his visa has been subsequently cancelled”.

Novak Djokovic set to be deported from Australia after his visa is revoked

The decision came after Djokovic spent more than six hours in isolation at Melbourne’s Tullamanrien airport following a 14-hour flight from Dubai.

The Serbian had travelled to Australia after announcing he had received a medical exemption from COVID-19 vaccination rules to compete at the season-opening Grand Slam.

However, he was ultimately denied entry and is expected to be deported later on Thursday, although his legal team have vowed to fight the decision.

Morrison, though, took to social media to defend the decision not to allow Djokovic to enter the country.

“Mr Djokovic’s visa has been cancelled. Rules are rules, especially when it comes to our borders,” he wrote.

“No one is above these rules. Our strong border policies have been critical to Australia having one of the lowest death rates in the world from COVID, we are continuing to be vigilant.”

Novak Djokovic

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