Novak Djokovic's visa was cancelled on Thursday when he arrived at Australia and there are strong suggestions that he will be deported, hence not being able to defend the Australian Open title.

The Serbian Tennis star landed in Melbourne on Wednesday night. He had posted on social media that he has a medical exemption from the tournament organizers to play in the Open without being fully vaccinated against covid -19.

The organizers had granted the exemption after Djokovic's application was cleared by two medical panels, the exemption sparked a strong reaction from Australians who have been living with restrictions and lockdowns for 2 years.

The Border Control didn't allow the Australian Open Champion past the airport. Australian Border Force said in a statement, "Mr Djokovic failed to provide appropriate evidence to meet the entry requirements to Australia, and his visa has been subsequently cancelled... Non-citizens who do not hold a valid visa on entry or who have had their visa cancelled will be detained and removed from Australia."

The player was at the airport for the night and has been moved, it is still unclear if he will be deported tonight or stay in quarantine at a hotel or government accomodation as his legal team has filed a case against the deportation.

The Serbian President, Aleksandar Vucic said on Instagram that he had talked to the player over a call and said to him, "the whole of Serbia is with him and that our authorities are undertaking all measures in order that maltreatment of the world's best tennis player ends as soon as possible".

Scott Morrison, Australian Prime Minister has said that rules are rules and everyone has to follow them as these border policies have been able to keep the death rates low in the country.