The Australian Border Force (ABF) have detained top-flight tennis player Renata Voráčová over visa disputes, as the fallout from the Novak Djokovic turmoil continues to cause controversy ahead of the Australian Open.
“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.
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 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.
Leaked letter
A letter obtained by an Australian newspaper appears to show Tennis Australia may have wrongly informed unvaccinated players they could enter the country to take part in the season-opening grand slam.
The Herald Sun newspaper published Friday what appears to be a letter sent from Tennis Australia, the tournament organizers, to players on December 7.
CNN cannot independently verify the authenticity of the letter.
The letter advises that a confirmed COVID-19…
