Protesters flock to Novak’s hotel

Protesters are expected to converge outside the The Park Hotel in Melbourne’s Carlton at noon on Thursday in support of the Serbian superstar, who is being held there in immigration detention.

Djokovic arrived in Melbourne on Wednesday to defend his Australian Open crown, having been granted a medical exemption by Australian Open organisers.

However, he was held by the Australian Border Force shortly after for failing to meet entry requirements.

“The ABF can confirm that Mr Djokovic failed to provide appropriate evidence to meet the entry requirements to Australia and his visa has been subsequently cancelled,” the Australian Border Force said on Thursday.

“Non-citizens who do not hold a valid visa on entry or who have had their visa cancelled will be detained and removed from Australia.”

Djokovic is now in immigration detention at the hotel awaiting the outcome of a high stakes legal battle with Australian authorities to avoid his deportation days out from the tennis tournament.

Fans and supporters have already rallied outside the hotel, waving Serbian flags, chanting and doing Serbian dancing.

It comes as Djokovic’s family launched an extraordinary attack on Scott Morrison as they protested his treatment in Australia. Even Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic weighed in, claiming the star is the victim of a “political witch-hunt”.

The challenge in the Federal Circuit and Family Court to the federal government’s decision to deport Djokovic from Australia has been adjourned until Monday.

Originally published as Novak Djokovic supporters to rally outside hotel where he is being detained by immigration officials