Tennis world No. 1 Novak Djokovic has started legal action to overturn his decision to deport him from Australia after his visa was revoked.
Lawyers for the nine-time Australian Open champion applied at the Federal Court in Melbourne on Thursday for a judicial review of the decision by Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews to revoke visas.
Djokovic remains locked in a quarantine hotel as he tries to keep alive his quest for a record 21st Grand Slam title at Melbourne Park later this month.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison revealed that Djokovic had tried to enter the country without a medical exemption from vaccination.
The Serbian superstar claimed that he got such an exemption, but it appears that it was given only for the tournament and not for Australia's entry.
Morrison said entry into Australia required double vaccination or medical exemptions, which Djokovic did not have, and that "the rules are the rules".
"In order to gain quarantine-free entry into Australia, people must be fully immunized as defined by the ATAGI (Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunity)," he said on Thursday.
"This means those who do not meet the definition will not be approved for quarantine-free entry.
"I am advised that such exemption was not applicable and consequently is subject to the same rules as anyone else."
Two-time Open quarterfinalist and outspoken opponent, Vaxxer Tennys Sandgren, has said the treatment of the world's top male player means Australia does not deserve to host the Grand Slam.
The American himself did not enter this year's tournament, saying that he does not meet the grounds for exemption.
Sandgren tweeted, "Let's be quite clear here. 2 different medical boards approved his waiver. And politicians are blocking it. Australia doesn't deserve to host a Grand Slam."
Seema Bal's decision came after it emerged that Tennis Australia boss Craig Tilly was repeatedly warned that a recent COVID-19 infection was not grounds for medical exemptions for unaffiliated players.
It is learned that the health department sent Tilly two letters in November stating that a COVID infection in the past six months would not meet the entry requirements for players without vaccinations.
The world No. 1 male player is believed to have applied for exemption on those grounds.
Health Minister Greg Hunt reiterated the advice in a letter in late November.
“I can confirm that people who have contracted COVID-19 within the past six months and wish to enter Australia from overseas, and have not received two doses of a Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) – approved or a TGA-accredited vaccine (or a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine) is not considered a complete vaccine," Hunt wrote.
The move by the Australian government threatened a diplomatic incident between Canberra and Belgrade.
Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic posted on Instagram: "I told my Novak that the whole of Serbia is with him and our body is doing everything it can to see that the harassment of the best tennis player in the world ends immediately."
"Serbia Novak, in accordance with all norms of international law, will fight for truth and justice."
The TA is expected to make a statement later on Thursday, but has faced public outcry over the relaxation of the tournament.
Rod Laver urged Djokovic to reveal his medical reasoning to the public for fear of repercussions on the court named after him in Melbourne Park.
"I think it could be ugly... if he has a reason to (discount) then... we should know that," Laver said.
Australia's women's world number 1 Ash Barty said she understood the frustration in the community over the decision to exempt.
"It's a tough one. As we've seen a little bit from the Australian public over the past few days, I know how hard it has been for Australians ... the last 18 months and two years."
In soap-opera scenes, Djokovic's father Sarjan first highlighted the extraordinary situation when he told the Serbian B92 internet portal: "Novak is currently in a room that no one can enter. There are two policemen in front of the room. "
Djokovic arrived at Tulamarin Airport late Wednesday night after a 14-hour flight from Dubai.