Czech tennis player Renata Voracova says she feels like she’s being held “a bit like in prison” after becoming the second player detained by Australian Border Force officials.
After world No.1 Novak Djokovic was caught up in a highly publicised dispute surrounding his entry into Australia, Voracova last night became the second player barred from entering the country.
The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed to Wide World of Sports last night that 38-year-old Voracova was being held at the same Melbourne immigration detention hotel as Djokovic.
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According to the Sydney Morning Herald, it’s believed Voracova, who is unvaccinated, had entered Australia with a vaccine exemption on the basis she had been infected with COVID-19 in the last six months, the same reasoning used in Djokovic’s application.
“I’m in a room and I can’t go anywhere,” Voracova told Czech dailies DNES and Sport.
“My window is shut tight, I can’t open it five centimetres.
“And there are guards everywhere, even under the window, which is quite funny. Maybe they thought I would jump and run away.
“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.”
Voracova, who once was ranked No.29 in the WTA doubles rankings, was let into the country initially and even featured in a doubles match on Wednesday during a Melbourne lead-up event.
“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,” she said.
“I don’t understand why they would come to me after a week and say, look, the rules that applied do not apply anymore.”
While Djokovic is continuing his fight to be granted entry into Australia, Voracova said she supported the Serbian star but declared she plans to head back home.
“I would have to ask for another visa and wait for a week, locked up in a hotel, without training… it doesn’t make sense,” she said.
“So I’m waiting for a permit (to leave), on Saturday perhaps.
“I would like them to let him (Djokovic) play.
“We are athletes, we have come here to play tennis and not to deal with disputes behind the scenes.”
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