Djokovic challenged officials on visa cancellation - court filing

FILE PHOTO: Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, February 16, 2021 Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates winning the third set during his quarter final match against Germany's Alexander Zverev REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/File Photo

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic's legal challenge to the Australian government's decision to cancel his visa on arrival this week says a certified COVID-19 infection in December meant he qualified for a medical exemption to the county's vaccination requirements.A 35-page document lodged in the Federal Circuit and Family Court by his legal team on Saturday outlines the Serbian's case for challenging the visa cancellation which would prevent him from playing in the Australian Open. The challenge will be heard in court on Monday morning.

The tennis world number one has been held in immigration detention in a hotel in Melbourne since Thursday morning after border officials rejected his claim for a medical exemption.