Tennis world number one Novak Djokovic arrived in Belgrade on Monday after being expelled from Australia, the epilogue of a long saga around his vaccination status which deprived him of the possibility of a 10th victory at the Australian Open .
According to two sources at Belgrade airport, the 34-year-old Serb arrived in the capital of the small Balkan country at midday, but immediately left the facility through a back door.
“There’s no need to wait, he’s already come out through another door,” a security employee told the many journalists present. Another staff member explained to Agence France-Presse that the star left by “a technical exit”.
Dozens of fans gathered outside the airport to welcome their idol, enthusiastically waving Serbian flags.
“Novak is number one for us and for the world. Whether he wins or loses, we support him,” Djurdja Avramov, whose son wore a T-shirt with a heart design and the word “Nole,” Djokovic’s nickname in Serbia, told AFP.
“I’m a fan and what they did to her is shameful,” added Dragica, a retiree who didn’t want to give her last name. “I love it, I’m 71 and my feet hurt but I came anyway. »
“Novak has won, it’s the victory of good over evil,” read a banner held up by Svetozar Alimpic, a 56-year-old trader.
The unvaccinated star left Melbourne for Dubai on Sunday evening after failing to convince Australian justice to accept his appeal against the government’s cancellation of his visa, on the eve of the opening of the Australian Open where he dreamed of a record 21st Grand Slam title.
This expulsion concludes a long standoff between the player who has never hidden his skepticism against vaccines and the Australian authorities who claimed that his presence on the island-continent could blow on the embers of the anti-vaccine movement.
“I am extremely disappointed,” Djokovic reacted in a statement on Sunday. “I will now take time to rest and recover.”
” Witch hunt “
In Serbia, where “Nole” is a hero, his expulsion scandalized the government, sports bodies and his fans who consider that he is the victim of an injustice and a “political witch hunt”.
On Sunday evening, the message “Nole, you are the pride of Serbia” lit up a building in Belgrade on the banks of the Sava, against a backdrop of Serbian colors, red, blue and white.
His career could suffer from this setback.
French authorities said Monday that any athlete coming from abroad will have to be vaccinated to compete in France, which casts doubt on a possible participation in Roland-Garros.
In Australia, he theoretically risks a three-year ban on the country where he won nine of his twenty Grand Slam titles.
But Prime Minister Scott Morrison hinted in a radio interview that Djokovic might be allowed to return during this period “under the right circumstances” and that “it would be considered at that time”.
The Serb was expected to headline the Australian Open on Monday.
His opponent Rafael Nadal said he was “tired” of talking about the fiasco after qualifying for the second round of the Open. “Almost a week ago, when he won in the first instance, he was able to get his visa back and was able to train. I said justice had spoken,” he said, however. “Yesterday, justice said something else. I will never be against what justice says. »
“Upset and disappointed”
Twice since January 5, the Australian government has canceled Djokovic’s visa and sent him to a migrant detention centre.
Twice, “Djoko” challenged this decision in court, winning a first round but losing the second, decisive, on Sunday, with the rejection by the Federal Court of Australia of his appeal against the cancellation of his visa and his expulsion.
The Australian government welcomed the victory in the midst of an election campaign in a country that has endured for nearly two years some of the strictest anti-COVID restrictions in the world.
Many Aussies believe Djokovic tried to bend the rules and are happy to see him go.
“Our small Serbian team here in Melbourne is upset and disappointed,” wrote Miomir Kecmanovic, the Serbian player Djokovic was due to face on Monday, on Instagram.
For his entry into the running, the 77th in the world beat the “lucky loser” Salvatore Caruso (146th), who had inherited Djokovic’s place in the table. “I had to win for him too,” said Kecmanovic, adding that the Serbian players had told each other that they would “do everything to avenge” Djokovic and “make him proud”.