Australian authorities scrambled on Sunday to file a legal defence of their decision to bar entry to tennis world number one Novak Djokovic over his COVID-19 vaccination status, as the Serbian superstar spent his fourth day in immigration detention.
Djokovic welcome to play if he can obtain visa, says Australian Open director
The reaction has been swift across the world to Novak Djokovic's visa has been cancelled for a second time by the Australian government.
Images from Day 6 at the French Open, at Roland Garros, in Paris, on Friday.
The 34-year-old is currently housed in a government detention hotel in the suburb of Carlton, 5 km (2 miles) north of Melbourne Park, after authorities cancelled his visa when he arrived in Australia.
Carlos Alcaraz announced himself in Madrid when he played with a sore ankle but still dispatched three top five players -- Rafael Nadal, Djokovic and Alexander Zverev -- en route to his second Masters title, just days after his 19th birthday.
Novak Djokovic secured a semi-final place at the ATP Finals with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Russian Andrey Rublev on Wednesday, his 50th match win of the year, while Stefanos Tsitsipas withdrew from the tournament due to an elbow injury.
Images from the French Open quarter-final between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros on Tuesday.
Carlos Alcaraz said he has no doubt that top-ranked Jannik Sinner is the best player in the world on current form as the two young players continue to lay the foundations for an epic rivalry.
'This has nothing to do with sports, this is a political agenda. Novak is the best player and the best athlete in the world, but several hundred million people from the West can't stomach that.'
Djokovic, who is seeking to win a record 21st Grand Slam title at the tournament this month, said in a legal challenge on Saturday that he had been given the medical exemption because he had contracted COVID-19 last month.
Djokovic did not drop a set en route to the final in Rome
The two cases shocked the tennis world with many fuming at how they were handled by the authorities.
Djokovic remained unflustered despite dropping the opening set and suffering several tumbles on the greasy surface.
Novak Djokovic has so far declined to disclose whether he is vaccinated and his father told Serbia's TV Prva that governing body Tennis Australia's stance on players being vaccinated was tantamount to "blackmail".
Novak Djokovic was confused about who had issued him with a medical exemption to enter Australia when interviewed by the Australian Border Force last week, according to transcripts of the interview.
Wimbledon announced that it had barred all Russian and Belarusian players from this year's championships
Here is a quick glance of all the highs and lows from Nadal's stupendous career:
Djokovic was soundly beaten by Zverev in the 2018 final, a match played out in an electrifying atmosphere in front of 18,000 fans. This time the arena was empty because of the COVID-19 lockdown, a surreal backdrop for a match with so much riding on it for both men.
Djokovic's official website also confirmed his participation in the Dubai tournament.
Images from Day 9 of the Wimbledon 2022 Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London, on Tuesday.
Wimbledon's decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players from this year's tournament following the invasion of Ukraine was wrong and lacked respect, world number one Novak Djokovic said on Monday.
Novak Djokovic, the world number one ranked men's player, has reiterated his stand about freedom of choice over taking the COVID-19 vaccine as suspense grows over his participation at the Australian Open in January.
A round-up of all tennis action on Friday.
Novak Djokovic's bid for a record 21st major title that would have completed the calendar-year Grand Slam collapsed at the final hurdle in a stunning 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 defeat by Russian Daniil Medvedev in the US Open final on Sunday.
It was unclear exactly what happened to world number 76 Musetti whose stylish game was threatening to send Djokovic to his earliest Roland Garros exit since 2009.
The Serbian Wimbledon champion extended his win streak to nine, wrapping up the final in 75 minutes without facing a break point and booked his place at next month's ATP Finals.
The German was visibly distraught ahead of the trophy ceremony, appearing emotional as he fought back tears.
Novak Djokovic had his neck taped during the match on Court Philippe Chatrier and his movements seemed somewhat restricted
Images from Day 6 of the 2023 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Saturday.
Let battle commence, says Djokovic ahead of Nadal showdown
Fonseca cruised through the first set before Fearnley found his groove in the second to level the match on a windy day in the California desert.
Nadal says Wimbledon ban on Russian and Belarusian players unfair
The Serbian top seed won a fourth successive title at the All England Club to take his overall Grand Slam tally to 21.
Novak Djokovic has pulled out of the Serbia team for the ATP Cup in Sydney, event organisers said on Wednesday, raising further doubts over whether the world number one will defend his Australian Open title next month.
Novak Djokovic increased his Grand Slam tally to 19 titles, and is now one adrift of the men's record held by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
'I feel quite embarrassed as an Australian athlete that's seen what this guy has done for us and the sport'
Novak Djokovic was unexpectedly beaten by fifth-ranked Alexander Zverev, quashing his hopes of winning an Olympic singles gold medal, the only major honour missing from his long list of accolades.
Djokovic said he was '50-50' about competing at the Tokyo Olympics
A US Open full of upsets and hungry, young contenders offered the latest sign that men's tennis has entered a new era
