Novak Djokovic has request for private chef and relocation rejected

While he awaits his fate in a detention hotel, Novak Djokovic has made a number of requests, all of which have been denied. So what did he ask for?

Novak Djokovic is repordely staying at the Park Hotel along with other detainees.

Detained tennis star Novak Djokovic has asked for his personal chef to cook for him in his quarantine hotel.

Djokovic is being kept at the notorious Park Hotel and apparently the food is inadequate for the tennis star.

The No.1 player says he has dietary considerations that weren’t being met by the hotel.

He also asked to move to the house that he had already rented, which has a tennis court, and has offered to pay for the required security.

Both requests have so far been denied.

Graffiti scribbled on a wall at The Park Hotel. Picture: Supplied

The hotel is an establishment housing around 32 detainees who cannot leave the hotel and nobody is allowed in or out except staff. Migrants say the rooms are relatively small.

The Park Hotel gained notoriety last December when a fire in the building forced refugees and asylum seekers to be evacuated. One person was hospitalised for smoke inhalation. There were no fatalities.

A week later, asylum seekers posted images to social media showing food they had been served allegedly filled with maggots alongside mouldy pieces of bread.

“I feel terrible since yesterday, the last 24 hours. They are keeping him like a prisoner,” Djokovic’s mother Dijana said in a press conference.

“It’s just not fair. It’s not human,” she said.“I just hope he will be strong as we are trying also to be very strong to give him some energy to keep on going. I hope that he will win.

The Park Hotel, also known as Park Prison. Picture: Supplied

It’s just some small immigration hotel, if we can call it a hotel at all. Some bugs, it’s dirty, and the food is so terrible.”

The dark-brown brick and concrete building is a far cry from the residence Djokovic enjoyed last year, when tough Covid-19 restrictions forced players to exercise in their hotel rooms and balconies while in quarantine.

Djokovic reportedly sent a letter to Tennis Australia complaining about the luxury hotel’s conditions and demanding players stay in private homes with tennis courts and better food.

Australia’s border control authorities have refused to confirm where the player is staying.

FREE TO LEAVE

Djokovic is ‘free to leave’ the immigration detention hotel any time, according to Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews.

Denying claims from the world No 1’s father that he is being held captive, Andrews said swift action could be taken if Djokovic didn’t want to remain at the hotel in Carlton and a flight out of the country could be facilitated.

“Mr Djokovic is not being held captive in Australia. He is free to leave at any time that he chooses to do so and Border Force will actually facilitate that,” she said.

Andrews comments came in response to an explosive press conference held by Djokovic’s parents in Belgrade where they have since taken to the streets to demand the superstar’s release.

Police keep watch on a Hotel in Carlton where Novak Djokavic is staying

In a series of fiery remarks, his father Srdjan Djokovic said his son was the victim of a “political witch hunt” and “corona fascism” and should be freed.

“Jesus was crucified and endured many things but is still alive among us,” he said on Orthodox Christmas Eve.

“Novak is also crucified... the best sportsman and man in the world. He will endure.”

The vaccine-sceptic was detained on arrival in Australia earlier this week and his visa was revoked for failing to meet Australia’s tough pandemic entry restrictions.

Andrews also confirmed that two other players or staff attending the Australian Open are also now being investigated.

Serbian protesters outside the Park Hotel Melbourne where Novak Djokovic is reportedly being detained by border force after having his visa revoked. Picture: Ian Currie

Earlier, in October, 21 men reportedly contracted Covid in the facility, which has been the site of regular protests.

“So sad”, detainee Mehdi Ali told AFP, that although Djokovic is his favourite tennis player, he was saddened by the prospect of the star being detained there.

“The media will talk about us more, the whole world probably, which is so sad, just because Djokovic would be here for a few days.”

Nearly 180 people have been released from detention in the Park Hotel in the past year.

Most of those remaining are said to have been brought into Australia for medical attention from their offshore detention in the tiny Pacific island of Nauru and in Papua New Guinea’s Manus Island.

In a prior life, it was known as the Rydges hotel and served in 2020 as a Covid-19 quarantine hotel. It was blamed for being the source of a wave of infections in the city.

A Novak Djokovic fan showed her support for the tennis star outside the Park Hotel in Melbourne. Picture: William West/AFP

As Djokovic waited in his temporary new home for news of his legal battle, crowds of fans have been gathering playing music and protesting his detention.

“Do you know how I’m feeling? I’m feeling sad,” said Gordana, a female Djokovic supporter. “And feeling that I lost part of my heart because of Djokovic. Djokovic is (like my) son.” Outside the building, a score of activists protested against Australia’s strict immigration policies introduced to stop people from gaining entry by boat. Police stood nearby.

Writing on the walls outside the Park Hotel, which has been used to hold refugees and asylum seekers. Picture: Supplied

A banner hanging from the building’s awning read: “Abolish detention centres.” Others gathered to protest the restrictions they have endured to constrain Covid-19, as well as seeking other freedoms.

“I’m here on behalf of all the people that are fighting for freedom whether it’s for refugees, whether it’s Novak whether it’s the people in general, the public, well over these mandates who are sick and tired of being restricted,” Ryan Guszich said.

“And freedom in general. And, you know, it’s our body our choice.”