INTERNATIONAL: An Australian judge ruled on Monday that Novak Djokovic be released from immigration detention, finding the government's decision to revoke the tennis star's visa to enter the country "unreasonable".

In a court filing on Saturday, Djokovic’s lawyers argued that he had been given a medical exemption as he had contracted and recovered from a COVID-19 infection detected on 16 December.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said Djokovic will not receive special treatment:

"Rules are rules. And there are no special cases. Rules are rules, it's what I said to you yesterday, that's the policy of the government and it's been our government's strong border protection policies and particularly in relation to the pandemic, that has ensured that Australia has one of the lowest death rates from COVID anywhere in the world."

Djokovic has spent four days in immigration detention in a Melbourne hotel, with his Australian fans demonstrating outside the premises, which also houses refugees seeking asylum in Australia.

 Novak Djokovic’s mother has shared her call with her son to the press:

"I spoke today with him, a couple of hours ago. He was like, good, we didn't spoke a lot but we spoke a few minutes. And he was trying to sleep but he couldn't. As a mother, what can I say, if you are a mother you can just imagine how can I feel. I feel terrible since yesterday, last 24 hours, that they are keeping him as a prisoner. It's just not fair, it's not human."

Reaction from other Australians has been mixed, with many condemning special treatment for the tennis star.

The Australian government had not given Djokovic assurance of a medical exemption that would allow him to enter Australia without a COVID-19 vaccination, government lawyers said in a court filing on Sunday.

The nine-time Australian Open champion is seeking his 21st Grand Slam title at the tournament, which starts on January 17.

The drama surrounding the tennis star has rocked the tennis world, caused tensions between Serbia and Australia and become a flashpoint for opponents of vaccine mandates around the world.

Judge Anthony Kelly ordered Djokovic to be released within 30 minutes and his passport and other travel documents to be returned to him, rekindling the world number one's chance to win a record 21st Grand Slam title at the upcoming Australian Open.

However, lawyers for the federal government told the court the country's immigration minister was reserving the right to exercise his personal power to again revoke Djokovic's visa.