Home Affairs Minister reveals more Australian Open entrants under investigation

The Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews has confirmed the medical exemptions granted to other Australian Open players are now under investigation after world No.1 Novak Djokovic had his visa cancelled and was denied entry into the country.

Andrews told 9 News the Australian Border Force (ABF) is currently investigating and more Australian Open entrants could be denied entry.

“The Australian Border Force has been investigating this now,” she said.

“They have been for at least the last 24 hours in my knowledge. I will be briefed further on that potentially today but maybe later.”

An ABF spokesperson confirmed to ABC News that the documentation of two other individuals is currently under investigation.

“The ABF is aware of two other individuals who have used the same exemption letter issued by Tennis Australia as the basis for their medical exemption for the purposes of travelling to Australia,” the spokesperson said.

Andrews also reconfirmed that Djokivic’s medical exemption from COVID-19 vaccination did not meet Australian standards.

“It was the entry requirements,” she said.

“It was actually the evidence of vaccination that every single person who comes into Australia has to prove that they have been vaccinated or prove that they cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.”

Tennis star Novak Djokovic’s visa was cancelled after arriving at Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airpot at around 11:30 pm on Wednesday, January 5.

The 34-year-old was due to play in this month’s Australian Open, after being granted a medical exemption to compete despite being unvaccinated. Djokovic was told to leave the country on January 6.

Australian Open tournament director, Craig Tiley, has defended the “completely legitimate application process” and insist Djokovic had not received any special treatment.

Djokovic is currentrly being held in immigration detention at the Park Hotel in Carlton. On January 6 Djokovic launched a Federal Court challenge against the ABF’s decision.