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Statement on the case of detained tennis player Renata Voráčová

The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Canberra confirms that Czech tennis player Renata Voráčová was detained in Melbourne on 6 January 2022 and is now in a specialised detention hotel. R. Voráčová has been notified that her visa entitling her to stay in Australia has been revoked. The tennis player arrived in the country at the end of 2021 and played one preparatory match in Melbourne before the Australian Open. She held a valid medical exemption from Covid vaccination and until yesterday the Australian authorities had no problem with her stay in the country. The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Canberra sent a note to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade asking for a thorough explanation of the situation, an explanation of the circumstances of her detention and an explanation of why our player was taken to a detention hotel. 
 
The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Canberra and the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Sydney are in contact with R. Voráčová. Renata has decided to leave Australia at the earliest possible date and will not be attending the tennis tournament in Melbourne. 
 
The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Canberra has also contacted the Australian Department of Home Affairs (responsible for issuing certain types of visas and external border protection) with a request for an explanation of the situation. We are currently awaiting a statement from the Australian side.