Rafa Nadal said he feels sorry for Novak Djokovic after the world No. 1 was denied entry into Australia, but added that the Serb knew for months he could potentially face problems if he arrived without being vaccinated against COVID-19.

Djokovic, 34, was detained by officials at the border on Thursday amid a storm of protest about the decision to grant him a medical exemption from vaccination requirements to play in the Australian Open.

Djokoic, who has won nine Australian Open titles — including the last three — is holed up in a quarantine hotel in Melbourne as his lawyers sought an urgent injunction against deportation.