'He is not being kept captive' says Australian minister as Djokovic awaits his fate

Despite a small protest by Novak Djokovic supporters, Australian Open preparations continued on Friday at Melbourne Park as the defending men's champion awaited his fate in a Melbourne detention hotel.

World number 1 Djokovic, who has been reluctant to reveal his vaccination status, had travelled to Australia after Victoria state authorities granted him a medical exemption to the country's strict vaccination requirements. But when he arrived late Wednesday, the Australian Border Force rejected his exemption as invalid and barred him from entering the country. A court hearing on his bid to stave off deportation was set for Monday, a week before the start of the Australian Open.

Australian Home Affairs Minister, Karen Andrews however stated that Djokovic is not being held captive in Australia.

Djokovic is hoping to overtake rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer and win his 21st Grand Slam singles title, the most by any player in men's tennis.

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