Australian authorities detain another top-flight tennis player over visa issues

“We can confirm that the Czech tennis player Renata Voráčová is in the same detention as Djokovic, together with several other tennis players, in Melbourne,” the Czech Foreign Ministry said in a statement to CNN.

“Our Consulate General in Sydney is now dealing with the situation and is in touch with the tennis player.”

Australian newspaper The Age reports that the former Wimbledon doubles semifinalist entered Australia with a medical exemption on the basis she had been infected with Covid-19 in the last six months.

The 38-year-old Voráčová has already played in a warm-up tournament in Melbourne having lost in the first round of the Women’s Doubles competition at the Melbourne Summer Set tournament.

READ: Djokovic being ‘treated like a prisoner’ by Australian authorities, according to his mother
Renata Voracova in action against Johanna Larsson at the Fuzion 100 Southsea Trophy on June 26, 2018.

Without naming Voráčová, ABF told CNN Friday that its investigation into the visa status of the individual connected to the tournament had concluded.

“This person has been taken into immigration detention pending their removal from Australia,” the ABF said in a statement.

“All travelers who enter Australia must do so in accordance with our strict laws and entry requirements, regardless of their status or their reasons for entering the country,” the ABF added.

The Novak Djokovic saga has turned the spotlight on deep divisions in Australian society

The Czech Foreign Ministry said that, according to its information, Voráčová has a proven non-infectious status that entitled her to participate in the tournament and has subsequently lodged a protest with the Australian authorities asking for an explanation.

However, it confirmed Voráčová had decided to withdraw from the tournament and leave the country due to the limited training now possible.

“Our embassy in Australia is assisting her in completing the formalities for leaving the country and will continue to be in contact with her in case of any complications,” it added.

Neither Tennis Australia nor Voráčová’s representatives were immediately available for comment when contacted by CNN.

In addition, another unknown individual has voluntarily departed Australia following inquiries, the ABF said.

Amid worldwide controversy over the saga, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said this week that Djokovic, who hasn’t publicly revealed his vaccination status, “didn’t have a valid medical exemption” to the vaccination requirement for arrivals into the country.

Djokovic was transferred to Melbourne’s Park Hotel, a detention facility for refugees and asylum seekers, after his visa to enter Australia was blocked, according to CNN affiliates Seven Network and Nine News.

The hearing concerning Djokovic’s appeal of the cancellation of his travel visa was adjourned to Monday.

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