Second tennis star joins Djokovic in Australian detention

Renata Voracova of the Czech Republic has become the second professional tennis player in the Australian Open to be held by Australian Border Force (ABF) officials due to errors with her vaccination exemption, Reuters reports.

Novak Djokovic, the world’s number one player on the men’s side who has won 20 Grand Slam championships, was previously detained at the Melbourne airport for insufficient proof of vaccination. Djokovic is not believed to be vaccinated and has criticized vaccine mandates.

Voracova, whose top ranking on the women’s side is 74, already played in the Melbourne tournament earlier this week but has now been asked to leave Australia after her visa was canceled by ABF officials.

The Czech Foreign Ministry claims that Voracova decided to leave Australia. The ministry lodged a formal protest against the cancellation through its embassy in Canberra, Australia.

“We can confirm that Czech tennis player Renata Voracova is in the same detention as Djokovic, together with several other players,” the Czech Foreign Ministry said in a statement. “We submitted through our embassy in Canberra a protest note and are asking for an explanation of the situation. However, Renata Voracova decided to drop out of the tournament due to limited possibilities for training and to leave Australia.”

ABF stated that one player left Australia voluntarily while another was detained by immigration, declining to name Voracova specifically.

“The ABF can confirm that one individual has voluntarily departed Australia following ABF inquiries,” the ABF said. “We can also confirm that the visa of a third individual has been cancelled. This person has been taken into immigration detention pending their removal from Australia.”