Novak Djokovic Denied Visa: World Number 1 Could Be Deported but Fans Protest on Tennis Star's Behalf

• Novak Djokovic is currently being detained and awaiting deportation after his visa was cancelled upon arrival in Melbourne
• Fans have since gathered outside the hotel where Djokovic is based to show their support for the tennis superstar
• Djokovic was given a vaccination exemption to participate in the tournament but this was revoked following intense backlash

World number one tennis player Novak Djokovic could be deported from Australia today after his visa was cancelled.

Djokovic was given a 'vaccination exemption' to compete in this year's Australian Open, a move that didn't go down well with many Australians.

Following the backlash received over the decision to give him an exemption, Djokovic then had his visa revoked by the Australian government when he arrived in Melbourne, BBC News reported. Djokovic's lawyers are expected to appeal the decision.

Djokovic was then moved to the Park Hotel in Melbourne where he is currently awaiting deportation, The Daily Mail reported. The hotel is also currently housing other refugees and asylum seekers.

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Following the news of his detention, fans of the World Number 1 gathered outside the hotel calling for his release. Some were draped in the Serbian flag while others had placards saying 'Free Novax.'

Social media once again had a field day with the news as fans debated whether Australia made the right call. One fan ignorantly asked if this meant that Djokovic was no longer competing while another sarcastically replied that he would be playing the tournament virtually.

Here's how other users reacted to the news:

@JohnnyDelaney9:

"Amazing the attitude of people over last two years, the masses now cheer this on? A perfectly healthy man who has tested negative and no doubt excessively tested is denied entry into a country for really no real reason when you think about it…must be 0 covid cases in oz"

@EmmaKennedy:

"Oh I do hope there are pics of Djokovic having to get back on the plane."

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Novak Djokovic at the centre of vaccination exemption storm, Australians aren’t happy with world number 1

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that tennis superstar and world number one Novak Djokovic has attracted the ire of many Australians after news broke that he would be competing in the upcoming Australian Open.

Djokovic is currently the defending Australian Open champion, having beaten Daniil Medvedev in last year's final. Djokovic took to Twitter to recently announce that he will be heading to the tournament after being given a vaccination exemption. The Australian Open begins on 17 January.

The decision angered many Australians who experienced some of the harshest lockdown regulations around the world. Many felt that Djokovic was getting special treatment because of his stature while many Australians were still suffering the effects of the pandemic.