Novak Djokovic’s family say he has been “kept in captivity” in Australia as they rallied around the world No.1 who’s been denied entry into the country for his Australian Open title defence.
The 34-year-old was granted a medical exemption from COVID-19 vaccination requirements to compete in the year’s first major, but after a public outcry in Australia was detained by officials at the border on Thursday.
Djokovic is now in a quarantine hotel in Melbourne after his lawyers secured an agreement for him to stay in the country for a court hearing on Monday in which he hopes to overturn the federal government ban on his entry.
“They’re keeping him in captivity. They are trampling on Novak and thus they are trampling on Serbia and the Serbian people,” Djokovic’s father Srdjan told reporters at a news conference in Belgrade on Friday AEDT.
“(Australian Prime Minister, Scott) Morrison and his like have dared attack Novak to bring Serbia to its knees. Novak has always shown that he comes from a proud nation,” Srdjan said.
“This has nothing to do with sports, this is a political agenda. Novak is the best player and the best athlete in the world, but several hundred million people from the West can’t stomach that,” he added.
He accused Australia and the West of “mistreating” Djokovic because he is a Serb and evoked the 1999 bombing by NATO of Serbia over its breakaway province of Kosovo.
“Shame on them, the entire freedom-loving world should rise together with Serbia,” Srdjan said.
“They crucified Jesus and now they are trying to crucify Novak the same way and force him on his knees.”
JANUARY 06: Goran Djokovic Dijana Djokovic Djordje Djokovic and Srdjan Djokovic, the family of Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic attend a rally in front of Serbia’s National Assembly as World No.1 tennis player Novak Djokovic fights deportation from Australia after his visa was cancelled. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)
Earlier, he had described his son to the Telegraf website as “the Spartacus of the new world that doesn’t tolerate injustice, colonialism and hypocrisy.”
Djokovic’s mother Dijana, who also attended the conference alongside the player’s brother Djordje, described the situation as “scandalous”.
“They want to clip his wings, but we know how strong he is,” she said.
Djokovic’s family displayed his nine Australian Open trophies at the conference, adding they would organise a support rally in front of Serbia’s parliament building in the city centre.
Former mentor Niki Pilic, who oversaw Djokovic’s career as a teenager, told Reuters that the situation was “farcical”, adding: “Politics have interfered with sports here as it so often does.”
Pilic said Morrison was “trying to please a part of the country’s society and improve his poor political rating.”
Former Yugoslavia Davis Cup coach Radmilo Armenulic said Djokovic had been treated “like a felon”.
“They detained him under police presence. He was held in a room for eight hours after he was cleared to take part in the Australian Open by the medical panel,” Armenulic said.
“This decision, in my opinion, reflects lawlessness and not the rule of law. They have treated Novak like a criminal and a villain to stop him from winning his 21st grand slam.”
Serbian politicians seized on the opportunity to get a popularity boost ahead of this year’s elections as protesters gathered in downtown Belgrade calling for his release.
Populist Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s government summoned the Australian ambassador in protest of Djokovic’s “detention”.
Vucic said he had spoken to Djokovic and blasted Australian authorities for keeping the tennis star in an “infamous hotel”.
“I’m afraid that this overkill will continue,” Vucic said. “When you can’t defeat someone on the court, then you do such things.”
Meanwhile Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews has revealed other international players are also being investigated after Novak Djokovic’s visa was deemed invalid.
Andrews confirmed the Australian Border Force, which she oversees, is looking at other players who have travelled to Australia in similar circumstances for the Open.
“I will be briefed further on that potentially today,” she told the Nine Network.
“But we do have the intelligence to indicate there are some individuals here now that have not met the entry requirements and we have to investigate that.”
Andrews could not say how many players were being investigated, adding anyone entering Australia had to show evidence of vaccination or medical reasons why they are not vaccinated.
“I know there is a lot of chatter about the visa. The visa, on my understanding, is not the issue, it is the entry requirement.
“The (Australian) Border Force has been very clear that he (Novak) was not able to meet the requirement to provide the evidence he needed for entry to Australia.”
The world No.1 faces another three days in an immigration detention hotel in Melbourne amid one of the great modern sports controversies, waiting for a legal ruling over whether he can defend the Australian crown he’s won nine times.
Beyond the quiet of his hotel, the outcry in his native Serbia over the treatment of Djokovic is growing with his family saying he had been “held captive” in Australia and insisting the treatment of one of sport’s greatest performers was a disgrace.
Nearer to home, former Davis Cup player Paul McNamee who ran the Australian Open from 1995 until 2006 as tournament director, joined those who think the 34-year-old deserved his day on court, not in court.
“It’s not fair. The guy played by the rules, he got his visa, he arrives, he’s a nine-time champion and whether people like it or not he’s entitled to fair play,” McNamee told ABC News.
“There’s no doubt there’s some disconnect between the state and the federal government.
“I hate to think politics are involved but it feels that way.”
Djokovic had travelled to Australia after Victoria state authorities granted him an exemption to the vaccination rules but on arrival on Wednesday night, the ABF rejected the visa.
A court hearing to attempt to stop his deportation is set for Monday at the secure hotel used more often by immigration officials to house asylum seekers and refugees.
“He is the only player that I’ve ever known in the history of the Australian Open that has had his visa rescinded,” said McNamee.
“Players need to know with confidence that if they’re flying round the world to events, there’s not going to be this sort of problem at entry.
“It’s a problem we’ve seen over the last two years in Australia and the victim of that is the No.1 player in the world.
“He was following the rules. Now you might be angry that he was given an exemption, but players need to have confidence that the rules they abide by are going to be enforced.
“It’s not fair to him. Whether you like the rules or not, he doesn’t make the rules – so he deserves his day on court and not in court, in my opinion.”
In Serbia, where Djokovic is idolised as a nation hero, his family held a rally in front of the country’s parliament building in the capital Belgrade, with around 300 fans chanting slogans backing him.
His father Srdjan promised the crowd the protests would be held every day until Djokovic was released.
Gee
Roar Rookie
Rubbish family, typical Serbs.
Sedz
Guest
Let him do the same in US Open. US requirements right now are below. If you are a non-U.S. citizen who is a nonimmigrant (not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, or traveling to the United States on an immigrant visa), you will need to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before you travel by air to the United States from a foreign country. He may get some mercy from media but he will be deported back.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Yeah fruit loop is so demeaning isnt it Mick. Humourous maybe but insulting???? Well Im still wondering what the hell your fruit loop comment about me and a job aplication was supposed to mean so Ill stick with it. Also Ive seen many many posts of yours using far worse than fruit loop so it appears you can give but you cant take. Grow up is infact just as insulting ( or not insulting ) at fruit loop is Mick but you of course would not know that eh! Its OK I wont take offence. Perhaps concentrate on truths rather than going looking to be offended. You have no issue with rudeness when you are posting so toughen up or stop putting your own derogatory comments out there.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
All the facts are better though, Jacko - all the facts! From today's Herald Sun (and as foreshadowed in the Daily Telegraph on the 6th and 7th): "The letter ... stated his Australia Travel Declaration had been assessed and his responses “indicated that he met the requirements for a quarantine-free arrival into Australia where permitted by the jurisdiction of arrival”. " The Declaration is a "self report" in advance of arrival ... it is only as accurate and as credible as you make it yourself. If you turn up at the border with documentation that does not substantiate the Declaration they can refuse you entry. They can then deport you, after cancelling your visa. Now read on. "the ostensible letter is based on data provided by the traveller to the Australian Travel Declaration app, providing a preliminary indication of the traveller’s eligibility to enter the country. It does not validate whether the passenger has a valid visa, travel exemption or provides approvals for entry into Australia. Crucially, as spelt out in the information for (Australian Travel Declaration): “The successful submission of your declaration does not guarantee entry into Australia”." That is the reported detail. It is consistent with what the Minister and Border Force separately announced on January 6. Finally, you can leave the "fruit loop stuff. You love to hate ... must take its toll on your brain all that anger" rubbish right out of it when you are addressing me. Grow up.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/tennis/300492366/australias-home-affairs-told-djokovic-his-travel-declaration-met-requirements-lawyers-claim Yep I love facts Mick. What job application? Ive got a great job thanks.... Thats real fruit loop stuff. You love to hate people you have nothing to do with. That must take its toll on your brain all that anger over nothing. There are way more non vaccinated on the Gold Coast than in NDs touring party but they arnt called Novak...Is that the issue?
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
"He did everything he was told he needed to do and the Govt changed the rules and didnt notify TA. N (sic)" You are dead set wrong Jacko - I have already told you where to find why that is so (see above) - there you will find legislation, regulation, operational procedures ... it is awfully complex, I know, but you do need to embellish your interminable whinging with facts. "Write to who you like" Say what? You simply do not pay attention, do you? Why should I write your job application for you? As I encouraged you to do, just above - go on, have a go.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Yep in Qld we had over 10,00 new cases yesterday. Lets not have an immune person come in to Aus incase they let the virus escape into the community. KEEP THIS VIRUS OUT.... Oh Sh#T.... Its in!!!!! Dont care...Lock out those we dont get on with instead then!!! There does seem to be some very hateful people around over this. I dont see why a guy would spend a lot of money getting him and his support staff in to Aus and try to be dodgy about it. This guy has travelled all around the world for many many years. He is a political pawn.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
You make the effort to find the real reason this is a big stuffup and all about Novak and nothing about laws. He did everything he was told he needed to do and the Govt changed the rules and didnt notify TA. N Purely a eff up by Aus Write to who you like as you will be the one wasting your time.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
True Ozinsa but so is having rules around those who arnt. And its not compulsory in Aus and over 10% of elligable participants arnt vaccinated and the Govt gave TA the rules then changed them but didnt tell TA. He cant put things in his Visa application he didnt know was required.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
You clearly just hate him so badly that you dont even know the facts. learn the facts and put your hatred aside and you will "SEE THE LIGHT"
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Oh of course not. he did exactly what they asked him to do and met everything they demanded but its still all his fault according to those who hate him before any of this happened. Its now being proven that the Federal and Vic govts both allowed a post covid person to enter but changed their minds without letting Tennis Aus know.
boredofstudents
Roar Rookie
Well, well – you learn something every day. Had no idea the actor named her dog after Barny. What a back hander! Wonder if the animal has the same ruddy hue as our Deputy PM? It must be a Red Setter! However, the dog may sue its owner for emotional cruelty as some children have done when taking parents to court for being given embarrassing names. (Some nations around the world have passed laws to prevent parents giving babies monikers such as Satan, Anal, Cyanide, Circumcision, Sex Fruit, Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116, and . (that is, an actual full stop – maybe if the kid developed spelling difficulties?). Can’t wait for legislators around the civilised world to now ban parents naming babies Barnaby Joyce – nor farmers being allowed to name their pigs as such either.
boredofstudents
Roar Rookie
I don't know about you lot, but I have already started to hoard toilet paper. I suggest you take similar concrete precautionary actions to protect yourselves and your family. When the proverbial hits the fan and angry Serbian shepherds herd their flocks to charge at us, I for one will be burying my pickled cabbage for retrieving once peace eventually returns.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
"The rest of the world looks at Australia and considers it a dystopian nightmare ..." Who? Abdel Fattah al-Burhan of Sudan? The Right Reverend Al Sharpton Jr? President Xi Jinping? de Blasio and Cuomo of New York? They couldn't find us on a map with Australia written across it! It's a worn out cliché that one, sport - you would know that if you ventured forth to explore the world. "dystopian"? Try Somalia.
jameswm
Roar Guru
That doesn’t get Novax off the hook though.
jameswm
Roar Guru
ND has to apply for his own visa. He can’t pass the buck. Has he not seen a single story about Australia during covid?
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Now you are being ridiculous! :happy: :stoked: :laughing:
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
"What no one knows is what is the reason he is exempt from getting a vaccine. It could be very harmful to him or even life threatening but who cares eh." You will know the answer immediately if you try - have a look at the Minister's web site then go across and have a read what Australian Border Force' site has to say. Make the effort, Jacko, and perhaps you'll cease gobbing off without any knowledge at all. Write to the Prime Minister and the several responsible ministers, let them know you have plenty to say about their poor performance and that you are prepared to join up to show them the way. Go on, have a go.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Or a couple of jabs
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
TA’s sideline on visa management isn’t working out for them. Maybe they should stick to managing tennis