Andy Murray says he is dismayed at Novak Djokovic’s struggle to gain entry to Australia, saying it is “really not good for tennis at all”.
Djokovic was denied entry to the country on arriving for the Australian Open in a row over vaccine rules, and is now appealing against deportation.
The world number one is currently in an immigration detention centre.
“I think everyone is shocked by it,” said Murray, who will also play at the tournament, which starts on 17 January.
“I’m going to say two things on it just now. The first thing is that I hope that Novak is OK. I know him well, and I’ve always had a good relationship with him and I hope that he’s OK.
“The second thing: it’s really not good for tennis at all and I don’t think it’s good for anyone involved. I think it’s really bad.”
Djokovic’s court hearing began on Sunday after a bid by the Australian government to delay his appeal against deportation was rejected.
Briton Murray’s comments come after Australian player Nick Kyrgios said his country’s handling of the dispute had been “really bad”.
But Rafael Nadal said Djokovic could be playing “without a problem” if he had wanted to.
Australia’s pandemic border rules ban foreigners from entering the country if they are not either double vaccinated or have a medical exemption from having the jabs.
While foreigners can fly in to Australia on a visa applied for online, they must still clear immigration customs on arrival at the airport.
Djokovic – who has said he is opposed to vaccination – was initially given a medical exemption to play in the Australian Open, prompting an outcry from many who have been living under strict Covid rules in the country.
When the 34-year-old arrived in Melbourne, Australia’s federal government cancelled his visa. Now Djokovic’s lawyers are appealing on the basis that he fulfils the criteria for a vaccine exemption because of a recent coronavirus infection.