The Victorian government in the early afternoon announced crowds at the tournament would be capped,before the tournament draw was cancelled just minutes before it was scheduled to begin at 3pm.

The draw was eventually held at 4.15pm. This occurred after it became clear Mr Morrison was not going to make any announcements in his press conference – beamed to international audiences on channels including the BBC – following a national cabinet meeting.

TheAustralian Open draw pitted Djokovic,pursuing a record-breaking 21st major title,against Serbian world No.78 Miomir Kecmanovic,12 years his junior. There were mixed results for the Australian contingent,with women’s world No.1 Ashleigh Barty given a smooth entry into her campaign,drawing a qualifier in the first round.

The Prime Minister said he didn’t want to comment on the Djokovic matter as it was still before Mr Hawke,but reiterated that unvaccinated foreign nationals are not allowed to enter the country unless they have a valid medical exemption.

Mr Morrison said foreigners have to “show they are double vaccinated or must provide acceptable proof that they cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons ... that is the policy. That policy hasn’t changed,” he said.

“We would expect authorities to be implementing the policy of the government when it comes to those matters. That relates to people who are coming to Australia. These are non-citizens,non-residents.”

He also said it didn’t matter whether foreign nationals had a visa because the visa approval process had nothing to do with the process at the border to prove vaccination status. “And so that’s why it’s important to distinguish between the visa and the condition to enter at the border,” Mr Morrison said.

The world No.1 travelled to Spain in late December to train before the Australian Open. Since September 20,Serbian citizens have been required to present a vaccine certificate or medical exemption to enter Spain.

Local media outlet COPE said Spanish authorities were investigating whether Djokovic requested special permission to enter Spain. That report was later rejected by a Ministry of the Interior spokesperson,who said no such probe was under way.

The focus on the Open comes against the backdrop of tens of thousands of daily COVID-19 cases,which prompted the Victorian government to cap crowds at the tennis. Officials have been weighing up a crowd cap at the Australian Open since December,The Age andThe Sydney Morning Herald reported at the time,due to concern about people huddling at stadium entrance points,hospitality areas and inside stadiums when the roof is shut on hot days.

All tickets already purchased will be honoured,but the government said a 50 per cent cap would be imposed on all sessions yet to sell to that level. Some sessions have already sold about 70 per cent of tickets,The Age andThe Sydney Morning Herald have confirmed,but about half the tickets have been sold for many sessions.

There will be no changes to ground access passes.

“These updates to arrangements for the Australian Open will mean that fans,players and the workforce can look forward to a terrific COVID-safe event in Australia’s event capital,” Acting Minister for Tourism,Sport and Major Events Jaala Pulford said.

Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese attacked the government’s handling of the tennis star’s visa.

“How is it that a ... visa was granted in the first place?” he said. “This has been diabolical for Australia’s reputation,just in terms of our competence here,and it is extraordinary that – as we are speaking – we still don’t know what the decision will be.”

“The decision should have been made before he was granted a visa. Either he was eligible or he wasn’t.”

Australian immigration officials are still looking into aseries of errors and discrepancies, including hisbreach of isolation requirements in Serbia,theincorrect statements on his travel entry form andinconsistencies on the date of his COVID-19 test.

It is unclear whether Djokovic would be forced back into immigration detention immediately,but considering he wouldn’t have a visa this would likely be the case unless he promises to get on the next flight home.

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