NPR

How tennis star Novak Djokovic ended up in Australian immigration detention

After months of speculation over whether the vaccine-skeptical star would take part in the Australian Open, Djokovic seemed set to play — then border officials revoked his visa, leaving him in limbo.
Novak Djokovic pictured at a tournament in Italy in November 2021.

The Australian Open is still more than a week away, yet all eyes are already focused on Melbourne to see how the saga of Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic will play out.

Djokovic — the top-ranked men's tennis player in the world and a noted vaccine skeptic — had appeared set to defend his title in this year's tournament after months of speculation about whether he would participate due to Australia's stringent vaccination requirements for travelers.

But instead, immigration officials canceled his visa after a dramatic hours-long detention at the Melbourne Airport.

Now, Djokovic remains in immigration detention ahead of a court date Monday, just a week before the tournament is set to begin.

"If that evidence is insufficient, then he won't be

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR2 min readCrime & Violence
How Does Trump's Trial End? It May Hinge On How Jurors Feel About Sex And Privacy
The Trump's Trials team breaks down why prosecutors have a timeline problem, what Michael Cohen's testimony so far has shown, and why it may all come down to a question of sex and privacy in the end.
NPR4 min readInternational Relations
An Airstrike Kills 20 In Central Gaza As Israel's Leaders Air Wartime Divisions
An Israeli airstrike killed 20 people in central Gaza, mostly women and children, on Sunday, as fighting raged and Israel's leaders aired divisions over who should govern Gaza after the war.
NPR2 min read
Usyk Beats Fury To Become First Undisputed Heavyweight Boxing Champion In 24 Years
Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk became the world's first undisputed heavyweight boxing champion in 24 years by beating British fighter Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia's Riyadh.