(Belgrade) The Serbian government, sports bodies and many inhabitants of the Balkan country protested on Sunday against the expulsion deemed “scandalous” and “political” of Novak Djokovic by Australia, after a long saga around the visa of the unvaccinated tennis star.
Posted at 9:58 a.m.
“They think that with these ten days of ill-treatment, they humiliated Djokovic,” Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told the local press. “They humiliated themselves, Djokovic can come back to his country with his head held high and look everyone straight in the eye.”
The Federal Court of Australia dismissed the 34-year-old Serb’s appeal against his expulsion, burying his hopes of winning, during the Australian Open which begins on Monday, a 21and Grand Slam title, which would have been a record.
“I am extremely disappointed,” reacted Djokovic in a press release, adding that he now wanted to “take time to [se] rest and recuperate.
The star boarded a plane for Dubai, but its final destination is currently unknown. His family, very upset during the whole affair, once again expressed their support in a press release published by the local press.
PHOTO MELL CHUN, AGENCY FRANCE-PRESSE
Novak Djokovic was at Melbourne airport and boarded a plane for Dubai, but his final destination is unknown at this time.
“We believe he will come out of this stronger and time will show what he has shown so far without a doubt, that he is a great champion and a great man,” his family said.
” Witch hunt ”
The world No.1 was the victim of “a witch hunt in the true sense of the term, against a person and a country”, hammered Aleksandar Vucic, who since the start of the saga has remained firm in his support for Djokovic.
“I spoke to Novak Djokovic earlier after the decision and I encourage him. We look forward to seeing him return to his country where he will always be welcome,” added the Serbian President.
The Serbian Olympic Committee also gave its support to what the country considers an icon: “We are extremely proud of Novak Djokovic and the way he coped with these extremely difficult and unpleasant circumstances”, said the body. in an online press release. “Despite this outrageous decision, we believe that Novak emerged victorious again.”
Many residents of the small Balkan country share this sentiment.
“It’s a farce” that “has nothing to do with sport,” said Nebojsa Viskovic, a journalist covering sport and in particular tennis. “All the criticisms about whether he is vaccinated or not do not hold water”.
“This decision is not a surprise but it is still shameful,” said Jadranka Misic, a 29-year-old sociologist from Belgrade.
“Ridiculous Tournament”
“It’s an expected story, politics got involved,” said Risto Mihic, 59. “It allowed Novak Djokovic to become a symbol, the symbol of a certain freedom. If he were a priest, he would be a saint”.
For Milovan Jankovic, a tennis fan, Australia and the Internationals achieved a Pyrrhic victory.
“The tournament is going to be ridiculous without the defending champion, nine times winner. If I was Djokovic I would never set foot in Australia again,” added the 57-year-old salesman.
In the meantime, the Serb Miomir Kecmanovic, who was to face his compatriot at 1er tour of the Australian Open on Monday, promised to do everything to “revenge” him.
“Our small Serbian team here in Melbourne is hurt and disappointed and I think we now have to make an extra effort to, in a way, avenge our best representative who was prevented from being here,” said Kecmanovic (N .78) on Instagram