As world number one tennis player Novak Djokovic remains holed up in a government-approved Melbourne hotel, his treatment developed into a full-blown diplomatic incident between Australia and Serbia. And a new twist has now emerged in the saga.
Djokovic was detained at the airport while flying into Australia on Wednesday after having his visa revoked over his vaccination status. That was despite the fact that earlier in the week it had been announced that he had been granted a medical exemption by an independent panel of experts allowing him to compete in the Australian Open after all.
He is now awaiting a hearing in Federal Court on Monday. The verdict will determine whether he will be allowed to stay or will be deported from Australia.
It has now emerged that organisers have received 26 applications for medical exemptions, although they have not disclosed who, if any, was successful in obtaining one.
Local media have now reported that three players have been granted exemptions. The Australian authorities now want to reexamine each one to decide whether they should have been granted in the first place.
They include Czech player Renata Voracova, who, like Djokovic, has had her visa cancelled and is being held in the same hotel as Djokovic.
Emotions continue to run high. Many Australians are outraged that a top-class athlete, who has been so outspoken about his opposition to vaccinations should have been granted an exemption, while they have been subject to some of the strictest health protocols in the world for more than a year.
Serbia meanwhile, believes that the treatment of Djokovic is a blight on their national honour. There are some who are threatening retaliation.
Djokovic, meanwhile, has received support from an unlikely quarter. Former Australian number one Nick Kyrgios is not known for his support in the past, and had called Djokovic's decision to organise an exhibition tournament in the Balkans in 2020 during the worst of the pandemic as 'bone-headed'.
While maintaining his support for vaccinations, Kyrgios has now argued that the way the Djokovic situation has been handled is really poor and reflects badly on Australia.