With over ten days to go before the Australian Open begins, the tournament is already making global headlines after world number one Novak Djokovic's surprise arrival in Melbourne.

The 20-time grand slam champion, who needs one more slam title to break the all time record, was deemed unlikely to compete in the first slam of the year after failing to reveal his vaccination status. Australia currently requires all international arrivals to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or have a suitable medical exemption.

Earlier in the week Djokovic posted to social media that he was on his way to Melbourne after obtaining an "exemption permission", a shock to most onlookers who had assumed the 34-year-old would be missing the Australian-swing after pulling out of the Sydney based ATP Cup.

Djokovic's post was immediately met with criticism and confusion, from both Australians who have complied with two years worth of stringent health measures and other members of the ATP tour.

Upon his arrival in Melbourne, Djokovic was reportedly informed that his visa had been cancelled and would have to subsequently leave the country. While the news erupted over social media, with some users praising the decision of Australia's border force, fans of the tennis champion, including Serbian President Aleksandar Vuฤiฤ‡ and Djokovic's father, voiced their displeasure at the Australian government.

https://twitter.com/thiemricciardo/status/1478837325278941187

Djokovic's future in Australia still remains uncertain with his team due to appeal the decision. The nine-time Australian Open champion is due to spend the night in Melbourne before potentially being deported without stepping foot on a tennis court.