(Reuters)Czech tennis player Renata Voracova said she hopes Novak Djokovic can compete at the Australian Open next week but admitted she was still frustrated at being forced to leave Melbourne after her visa was cancelled.
Double specialist Voracova, like Djokovic, had received a medical exemption to participate in the Australian Open, although she was not vaccinated against Covid-19.
The exemption was granted on the basis that the 38-year-old contracted the virus last month, which along with other medical issues had prevented her from getting the vaccine.
“It’s not just a good thing for him. Hopefully he can play. Because that’s what we went there for: to play tennis and not take part in any indoor games,” says Voracova, who wants to get vaccinated against Covid-19 in the future, said Reuters.
Voracova was already playing a tournament in Melbourne when her medical exemption came under renewed scrutiny by authorities after Djokovic’s visa was canceled by Australian border guards as the Serb had arrived in the country without being fully vaccinated against Covid-19 – which is one Requirement for all foreigners to enter the country without quarantine unless they have a valid medical exemption.
The Serbian world No. 1 was held at a state-run detention hotel in Melbourne for five days before winning an appeal on Monday against the visa annulment allowing him to resume training ahead of the Australian Open, which begins on January 17 to resume.
Voracova was held at the same hotel as Djokovic last Thursday before leaving the country on Saturday.
In a video call with Reuters, Voracova said she went through immigration with no problems and believes she would have competed at the Australian Open had it not been for the excitement surrounding Djokovic’s visa and vaccination status.
“I’ve been there for a week and things have changed since he arrived,” she said. “I’m not mad at him.
“I’m really sad that this happened. It’s one of the biggest tournaments. You go there and this happens. You can’t even imagine that in the 21st century it’s possible to happen in this country.”
Like an action movie
Voracova, who is ranked 82nd in doubles, said she felt like she was in the middle of an action movie when she was escorted out of the hotel where she was staying.
“We didn’t even use the regular elevators. We went through side elevators and different paths (through the hotel) where people couldn’t see me. And then we went into the garage where there was a van,” she said.
The interrogation lasted about six hours. She said she did not appeal the decision to have her visa revoked because she was not aware of all the legal ramifications.
“I really didn’t know what my rights were after I asked what I should do. There were people from Tennis Australia with me, lawyers who helped me. And they have not appealed to the court. So I didn’t I know I could make it I just followed the advice they gave me,” she said.
She said the windows in her room at the government hotel were locked and the corridors between rooms were guarded. Not having a chance to train, she decided to leave Australia.
“It’s a great relief to finally be home. During the day (there) I didn’t feel really good, I couldn’t sleep at all and I didn’t eat much,” she said.
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