TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 31: Novak Djokovic of Team Serbia reacts at match point to be defeated by Pablo Carreno Busta of Team Spain during the Men's Singles Bronze Medal Match on day eight of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Tennis Park on July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Amin Mohammad Jamali/Getty Images)World No. 1 tennis player Novak Djokovic currently finds himself in a sticky situation ahead of this year’s Australian Open.
After arriving at the Melbourne airport on Wednesday, the Serbian superstar was denied entry due to an issue with his visa. Authorities reportedly held Djokovic, who received a medical exemption from vaccine requirements, at the airport for hours while they investigated his visa and exemption status.
The Australian Border Force has released a statement saying Djokovic “failed to provide appropriate evidence to meet the entry requirements to Australia, and his visa has been subsequently cancelled,” per BBC News.
He’s reportedly been told that he will be deported, but his lawyers plan to challenge that decision.
In response to this mess of a situation, Ireland-based airline Ryanair made light of Djokovic’s struggle on Twitter.
“Unlucky @DjokerNole Flight home?” the airline wrote, paired with a clever VAR challenge graphic.
Unlucky @DjokerNole Flight home? pic.twitter.com/D8mpNq4jEB
— Ryanair (@Ryanair) January 5, 2022
Novak Djokovic’s father, Srdjan Djokovic, and Serbian president Aleksander Vucic have taken a more serious tone with this matter — both calling out the Australian border authorities for their treatment of the tennis star.
Seemingly without Djokovic, the Australian Open will begin on Jan. 17 in Melbourne.
