Tennis Australia paid Djokovic legal fees, filled out visa, ex mayor claims

Tennis Australia has finally had their say on claims made by a former mayor that they paid for unvaccinated star Novak Djokovic’s legal fees.

Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley with Novak Djokovic after his victory in the 2021 Australian Open. Picture: Getty

Tennis Australia has finally responded to claims they paid unvaccinated superstar Novak Djokovic’s legal fees in his failed deportation fight against the federal government.

Melbourne identity John Locco made the accusations on Wednesday, claiming he had information from a source within Tennis Australia and had seen documentation.

After initially refusing to answer questions Tennis Australia has now told the Herald Sun they refute the allegations.

They would not comment further.

Locco, a former Brighton mayor, made a number of claims on a podcast hosted by Sam Newman and Don Scott.

The claims include:

TENNIS Australia filled out all visa documentation for players, officials and teams;

FOR Djokovic’s visa, the world No.1 was asked to “provide information” that was “specified by Tennis Australia”;

DJOKOVIC “did not know” what was written by Tennis Australia on his documents;

TENNIS Australia paid for a flight to bring Djokovic from Dubai to Melbourne;

TENNIS Australia “paid for a house” for Djokovic’s planned stay in Melbourne, which he “did not use”;

TENNIS Australia “paid for all legal fees” in the Djokovic court cases regarding his visa woes;

RENATA Voracova, the Czech tennis player who was deported after problems related to her visa, asked Tennis Australia for legal assistance, similar to the help afforded to Djokovic, but her request was refused.

Djokovic at Dubai airport after being deported from Australia. Picture: AFP

Djokovic arrived at Melbourne Airport about 11pm on January 5 on an Emirates flight from Dubai and was interviewed by Australian Border Force until his visa was cancelled at 10am on January 6.

Locco told the Herald Sun his source was credible and 100 per cent legit.

“My only motivation for speaking out is for the appropriate questions to be put to Tennis Australia, and the people in charge,” Locco told the Herald Sun.

“Novak came to Australia in good faith and he has been maligned.”

Djokovic left Australia on Sunday after the Federal Court upheld the government’s decision to cancel his visa.

His exit ended a dramatic 11-days in which the Serbian had his visa to Australia revoked twice.

Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys told the Herald Sun if Tennis Australia sacked its chief executive Craig Tiley over the Djokovic debacle, he would be “headhunted” in a heartbeat.

“As far as Craig Tiley’s concerned you have to look at what he actually did (with Djokovic). What he tried to do was to act in the best interests of his organisation,” V’Landys said.

“And that’s what a CEO is supposed to do. A CEO is supposed to put on the best possible event they can, maximise the revenue and maximise the attendances.

“That’s what he’s done. He hasn’t done anything that is untoward.

“You have to judge people on the total picture, and not on one per cent of it.”

Tiley, 60, was a noticeable absentee from Monday’s trophy presentation and Wednesday’s inaugural First Nations Day celebration as speculation mounts that the Djokovic deportation fiasco could see heads roll.

Tiley has not been sighted since last Thursday’s Grand Slam draw at Melbourne Park, where he refused to answer questions, and he has been unusually inactive on social media.

V’Landys was confident Tiley would land on his feet if it is game, set and match at TA.

Tennis Australia released a statement on the controversy on Tuesday, two days after Djokovic left the country.

“We recognise that recent events have been a significant distraction for everyone, and we deeply regret the impact this had on all players,” the statement said.

“There are always lessons to learn, and we will review all aspects of our preparation and implementation to inform our planning – as we do every year.

“We, like the players, and all tennis fans here and around the world, are keen for the focus to now be on the game.”

Originally published as Tennis Australia paid Djokovic legal fees, filled out visa, ex mayor claims