Tennis star Novak Djokovic has had his visa to enter Australia dramatically revoked on his arrival in Melbourne, writes BBC.

The world number one was held in the city’s airport for several hours before border officials announced he had not met entry rules and would be deported.

Djokovic was then taken to a government detention hotel. His lawyers have launched an urgent appeal in court.

It follows a massive backlash over a vaccine exemption Djokovic said he got to play in the Australian Open.

The Serbian player has not spoken about his vaccination status, but last year he said he was “opposed to vaccination”.

Tournament organizers said Djokovic’s medical exemption had been granted by two independent medical panels organized by Tennis Australia and Victoria state. But border officials said he had “failed to provide appropriate evidence” for entry after arriving on Wednesday from Dubai.