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 star of unvaccinated tennis.
“They think that with these ten days of ill-treatment, they humiliated Djokovic,” Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told the local press. “They humbled themselves. Djokovic can return to his country with his head held high and look everyone straight in the eye.
The Federal Court of Australia has dismissed the 34-year-old Serb’s appeal against his expulsion, burying his hopes of winning a 21st Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, which begins on Monday. 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 (rest) and recover”.
The star boarded a plane for Dubai, but her 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.
“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 number one 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 beginning 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.
They think that with these ten days of mistreatment, they humiliated Djokovic. They humbled themselves. Djokovic can return to his country with his head held high and look everyone straight in the eye.
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,” Nebojsa Viskovic, a journalist covering sport and in particular tennis, told AFP. “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 lover, Australia and the Open 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 in the first round 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.