Tennis News : Victoria Health minister focused on Aussie Open despite Djokovic distractions

The top men's tennis player in the world, Novak Djokovic, remained in an immigration detention hotel in Australia on Saturday as he sought to fend off deportation over the country's COVID-19 rules so that he can compete in the Australian Open.

The 34-year-old athlete and vaccine skeptic was barred from entering the country late Wednesday when federal border authorities at Melbourne airport rejected his medical exemption to Australia's strict COVID-19 vaccination requirements.

He has been confined to the detention hotel in Melbourne pending a court hearing on Monday, a week before the start of the tournament, where he is seeking to win his record-breaking 21st Grand Slam singles title.

Martin Foley, the health minister of Victoria state, stressed that border issues did not fall under the remit of regional authorities.

"What we've said consistently is that matters of how people get into the country is a matter for the Commonwealth (federal government) and their visa program," he said.

The evidence that Djokovic was relying on to support a medical exemption to Australia's strict COVID-19 vaccination policy was rejected by Australian border authorities when he arrived at Melbourne airport late Wednesday, and his visa was cancelled.

He has been confined to the detention hotel since being moved from the airport.  

The world No. 1 men's player will go to the Federal Circuit Court on Monday to challenge his visa cancellation and deportation.

A representative from the Australian Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Svetlana Kovacevic, said Djokovic was "shocked" at the turn of events and never expected to be at the centre of a "debacle."

She added that Djokovic "loves Australia and its people."