Australian Govt Holding Djokovic in Limbo Upon Landing After Granting Him Vax Exemption

World No.1 Novak Djokovic's entry into Australia was in limbo early Thursday morning due to concerns over evidence supporting his vaccine exemption, as well as a potentially erroneous visa application.

The Victorian government claimed that it rejected a late-night request to sponsor the world No. 1's visa hours before he landed in Melbourne about 11.30pm.

The 20-time grand slam winner, who was granted an exemption to play in this month's Australian Open, was being quizzed by Australian Border Force officials in a room at Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport until at least 1.15am.

A federal government source familiar with the episode said there were question marks about whether Djokovic had adequate documentation to prove the reason for his exemption. This evidence is required to be presented at the border by unvaccinated people.

The source said it was not clear whether a COVID-19 infection in the past six months - which is suspected to be the justification for the player's exemption – was sufficient to secure entry into Australia under federal guidelines.