Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic returned to Belgrade Monday after being kicked out of Australia for violating their vaccine requirements, and now the world’s top male tennis player faces another ban that would make him unable to defend another Grand Slam title, the Associated Press reports.

The number one-ranked male tennis player, Djokovic told Australian authorities that he was immune to the coronavirus to gain entry into the country to defend his Australian Open title; Djokovic stated that he had had Covid and was therefore exempt from the vaccine requirement.  Two medical panels and the tournament organizers granted an exemption to Australia’s strict vaccination requirements, Djokovic said, but government authorities barred him from entering the country after his plane landed.

Djokovic, however, faces a similar problem with his planned travel to France to compete in the French Open.  French law requires people who attend events in stadiums or arenas to be fully vaccinated; the rule applies to participating athletes and entertainers.  However, since the tournament is scheduled for May, French law may change before players have to report for the tournament. 

Djokovic complicated his own situation by ignoring basic pandemic publish health recommendations.  He acknowledges meeting with reporters from a Belgrade newspaper after he had tested positive for coronavirus.  He’s since acknowledged that was a “error in judgement.”