Novak Djokovic receives hero’s welcome in Serbia after dramatic deportation flight

The last-minute phone call that brought Novak Djokovic home to a hero’s welcome in Serbia after a dramatic deportation flight has been revealed.

Novak Djokovic returned home to a hero’s welcome as fans waived Serbian flags in support of “our champion” humiliated by the Australian government.

Djokovic had been expected to return to Monaco or Spain but a last-minute phone call from Serbia’s president pleaded with the tennis start to return to his first home.

After taking selfies with supporters during a brief layover in Dubai, Djokovic landed in Belgrade after the first day’s play of the Australian Open ended in Melbourne without the world’s top ranked tennis player.

Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic poses for a selfie after landing at Dubai Airpor. Photo: REUTERS.

A group of fans waiting at arrivals waved national flags and held up signs saying “Novak, God bless you” as a security guard confirmed Djokovic left through a “technical exit” side door at Nikola Tesla Airport.

“Novak is the number one for us and for the world. Whether he wins or loses, we support him,” said Djurdja Avramov as she stood with her child who wore a homemade shirt that read “Nole” — Djokovic’s popular nickname in Serbia.

“What they have done to him is shameful. I love him and I came to greet him. I am 71 years old and my foot hurts, but I came anyway,” said retiree Dragica, who did not give her last name.

On Sunday night, the message “Nole you are the pride of Serbia” flashed from an LED-panel sign on a building in downtown Belgrade.

Supporters of Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic hold up a sign as they gather at the Nikola Tesla Airport. Photo: Getty Images.

Serbian President Aleksander Vucic told reporters he called Djokovic and pleaded with him to return home to Serbia, rather than Monaco or Spain, after a witch hunt he said was orchestrated ahead of the federal election.

“I think Australian authorities humiliated themselves...torturing him amid the terrible media campaign,” he told The Wall Street Journal.

He added that Australians would be welcome in Serbia despite the country’s treatment of Djokovic.

“We are better than the government of Australia,” he said.

upporters of Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic gather at the Nikola Tesla Airport. Photo: Getty Images.

The dramatic deportation followed a protracted, high-stakes legal battle between 34-year-old Djokovic and the Australian authorities that polarised opinion and tarnished reputations on both sides.

Before being deported from Australia, Djokovic said he was “extremely disappointed” after a Federal Court unanimously upheld the cancellation of his visa on public order grounds.

“I respect the court’s ruling and I will co-operate with the relevant authorities in relation to my departure from the country.

“I’m uncomfortable that the focus of the past weeks has been on me. I hope that we can all now focus on the game and tournament I love.”

The humbled Djokovic boarded an Emirates flight from Melbourne’s Tullamarine airport and arrived in Dubai before dawn on Monday, accompanied by a retinue of coaches and aides.

Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic walks with his team after landing at Dubai Airport. Photo: REUTERS.

Twice in the last 11 days, Australia’s government had ripped up Djokovic’s visa and placed him in immigration detention — saying his presence could fuel anti-vaccine sentiment amid a wave of cases of the Omicron variant.

The Serbian star fought the decision in court, winning one round but losing Sunday’s decider in Australia’s Federal Court, ending a week of legal drama.

He could now be barred from playing in the French Open after the country’s sport’s ministry said a new vaccine pass approved by the French parliament on Sunday “applies to everyone, to volunteers and elite sportspeople, including those coming from abroad, until further notice.”

It comes after French Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu’s said last week that certain events like the French Open had a special exemption that could allow Djokovic to play in the tournament without being vaccinated against coronavirus.

Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic walks with his team after landing at Dubai Airport Photo: Reuters.

His absence from major tournaments could allow Rafael Nadal to leapfrog him to claiming 21t Grand Slam singles crowns.

Nadal said “justice had spoken” but that Djokovic was not the only one to blame for the “mess” that overshadowed the tournament.

“Almost one week ago when he won in the first instance... he was able to get back his visa and was practising. I said the justice have spoke,” Nadal said after cruising into the tournament’s second round.

“Yesterday the justice said another thing. I will never be against what the justice says.”

– With AFP.