SYDNEY (Reuters), – Novak Djokovic is now in his fourth day detention after Australian authorities concluded a legal defense. The defence included explanations of why his visa was cancelled and questions regarding his COVID-19 exemption.

He was hoping to win the 21st Grand Slam at this month’s Australian Open, but instead of practicing, he has been restricted to training in a hotel that houses asylum seekers. Following being stopped at Melbourne Airport in the early hours of Thursday, he challenged the cancellation of his visa.

Djokovic is a strong opponent to vaccine mandates. He had not revealed his vaccination status nor the reason for wanting a medical exemption in order to avoid Australia’s vaccine regulations. On Saturday, he broke his silence by filing a lawsuit claiming that he received an exemption for contracting the virus and then recovering.

According to the Australian government, its health department informed Tennis Australia that it had not received a notification last November from Tennis Australia regarding a COVID-19-related infection. This was in line with other notifications. Djokovic sueds the Department of Home Affairs, claiming that it wrote to him last month to confirm that he has met the entry requirements.

Greg Hunt (Australian Health Minister) was asked about Djokovic controversy at Sunday’s media conference. However, he declined to answer because it was in front of the court. But he noted that many other participants had their visas revoked.

Czech tennis player Renata Voracova was held in the same hotel detention as Djokovic. Her visa was revoked due to issues regarding her vaccination exemption. She left without contesting her status, according the Czech Foreign Ministry.

Hearings are scheduled for Monday in the Djokovic case.

This tennis player’s story has attracted a surprising crowd to Melbourne Hotel, which was known for its media coverage of asylum seekers claiming that they were given food with maggots.

Outside the small building under guard, anti-vaccine protesters and refugee advocates gathered with Djokovic supporters.

“Djokovic’s arrest has nothing to do with regulations; it’s got everything in political opportunism,” Ian Rintoul of the Refugee Action Coalition stated in a statement. This was ahead of a Sunday protest.

“Inadvertently the government’s arrest of Djokovic at the Park hotel has placed the spotlight squarely upon the systematic abuses of refugee rights in Australia’s detention system.”

Ana Brnabic (Serbian Prime Minister) stated that the player received gluten-free meals, exercise tools and a SIM Card to keep in touch with the outside.

The Australian side is positive about it. Brnabic indicated that Novak can enter Australia with the help of the Serbian presidency.