Advertisement

'Like prison': Unvaccinated tennis star slams conditions after visa farce

Novak Djokovic (pictured left) during a match and Renata Voracova (pictured right) hitting a backhand.
Renata Voracova (pictured right) has also been embroiled in the visa debacle that has been headlined by Novak Djokovic (pictured left) after the doubles specialist was detained due to being unvaccinated. (Getty Images)

Czech tennis star Renata Voracova has become the second player to join Novak Djokovic in having their visa revoked before she ripped into the hotel conditions as like being in 'prison'.

Djokovic has made worldwide headlines this week after the 34-year-old was detained by officials at the border on Thursday when attempting to enter Australia.

'SHAME ON THEM': Australia under fire over Djokovic 'political agenda'

'SO TERRIBLE': Inside Novak Djokovic's Melbourne hotel hell

'HE KNEW': Rafa Nadal's brutal truth bomb for Novak Djokovic

The 20-time grand slam champ was initially granted a medical exemption from Covid-19 vaccination requirements to compete in the year's first major, but after a public outcry in Australia his visa was revoked.

Djokovic is now in a quarantine hotel in Melbourne after his lawyers secured an agreement for him to stay in the country for a court hearing on Monday in which he hopes to overturn the federal government ban on his entry.

However, it has emerged doubles star Voracova has joined Djokovic in the hotel the Australian Border Force (ABF) has also confirmed that action has been taken against a third person.

"One individual has voluntarily departed Australia ... and the visa of a third individual has been cancelled," the ABF said.

The ABF added that one person had been taken into immigration detention pending deportation, but declined to to give details.

Renata Voracova, pictured here looking out the window at a Melbourne quarantine hotel.
A woman believed to be Renata Voracova looks out the window at a Melbourne quarantine hotel. (Photo by CON CHRONIS/AFP via Getty Images) (CON CHRONIS via Getty Images)

Renata Vorecova rips into 'prison' conditions at hotel

Voracova had already played a doubles match at a Melbourne WTA event, before authorities changed their mind on the doubles star's visa.

After being detained, Voracova spoke to media back home and blasted the conditions she was experiencing at the hotel.

"I'm in a room and I can't go anywhere," the 38-year-old Voracova, ranked 81st in doubles, told the Czech dailies DNES and Sport.

"My window is shut tight, I can't open it five centimetres.

Novak Djokovic (pictured left) during a match and (pictured right) fans showing their support for the tennis player.
Novak Djokovic (pictured left) thanked fans for their support as supporters rally outside Park Hotel (pictured right) where he thought to be detained. (Getty Images)

"And there are guards everywhere, even under the window, which is quite funny. Maybe they thought I would jump and run away," added Voracova, labelling the hotel as "a better dormitory".

"They bring me food and there's a guard in the corridor. You have to report, everything is rationed. I feel a bit like in prison."

Unvaccinated against Covid-19, Voracova was allowed to enter on an exemption after recovering from the disease late last year.

"The federal officials let me in immediately. I was held at the Victoria state checkpoint as they sent my papers somewhere, but then they confirmed I was free to enter without problems."

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.