Novak Djokovic breaks silence on visa scandal from hotel detention

Novak Djokovic has got a message out from inside the hotel where he is being held, posting on Instagram as his grand slam hopes remain in limbo.

Novak Djokovic has thanked fans for their support as he awaits the result of his appeal after being blocked from entering Australia in a row over Covid rules.

In a message on Instagram, the tennis world No. 1 wrote: “Thank you to people around the world for your continuous support. I can feel it and it is greatly appreciated.”

And in a message written in Serbian, he said: “Thank you to my family, Serbia and all good people across the world who are sending me support. Thanks to dear God for health.”

Djokovic made no mention of Australia or the visa scandal in his post.

It comes after his wife Jelena also thanked his fans for “using your voice to send love to my husband” while he remains in a quarantine hotel.

“Thank you dear people, all around the world for using your voice to send love to my husband,” Jelena Djokovic wrote on Instagram and Twitter.

In messages marking Christmas in Serbia, she wrote: “I am taking a deep breath to calm down and find gratitude (and understanding) in this moment for all that is happening.

“The only law that we should all respect across every single border is Love and respect for another human being.

“Love and forgiveness is never a mistake but a powerful force. Wishing you all well!”

Jelena Djokovic and Novak Djokovic, Picture: Instagram

Djokovic’s message comes after the Herald Sun exclusively revealed a leaked document from Tennis Australia which reportedly showed the organisation wrongly informed unvaccinated players they could enter the country for the Australian Open if they had caught Covid within the last six months.

The letter said unvaccinated players needed to prove they’d had the virus within the past six months in order to enter and get an overseas medical exemption certificate. They also needed a second exemption either signed off by an Australian medical practitioner or a panel of expert medical personnel.

That is despite the Federal Government informing Tennis Australia in November that prior infections were not covered in its guidelines for medical exemptions.

Meanwhile, Czech doubles star Renata Voracova reportedly suffered a similar fate as Djokovic after her visa was cancelled and she was detained in the same hotel as the Serbian World No. 1.

Voracova, the 38-year-old world No. 80 doubles player, had already been allowed into the country and played an Australian Open warm up event in Melbourne.

Reports emerged on Friday night that she had seen her visa cancelled was being detained by Border Force officials at the Park Hotel in Carlton. Voracova had used the same reason as Djokovic, which was believed to be a “natural immunity” — having contracted Covid in the past six months.

It remains unclear whether she will leave the country immediately or protest the decision in court.

Czech Republic's Renata Voracova poses with her trophy after winning the women's doubles final at the Japan Women's Open tennis tournament in Osaka in 2014.

Australian authorities said Djokovic provided insufficient evidence to juistify his vaccination exemption and was detained, pending deportation.

Djokovic’s stance on the Covid vaccine has raised questions about his participation in other major tournaments this year. But France’s sports minister said her country would allow him to play in the French Open, the next Grand Slam tournament of the year, which starts in May, even if he was not vaccinated.

“There are health protocols imposed for major events by the relevant federations which would permit someone like Novak Djokovic to enter the country,” Roxana Maracineanu said.

“In France today we do not have the same regulations as Australia for entry to the country, either for athletes or any citizens from other countries.”

Djokovic’s father Srdjan told a crowd in Belgrade on Friday his son was the victim of a “political witch hunt” and “corona fascism”.

“Jesus was crucified and endured many things but is still alive among us,” he said in a fiery speech. “Novak is also crucified... the best sportsman and man in the world.”

Djokovic’s detention has sparked international scrutiny, with the Serbian government demanding explanations.

“Djokovic is not a criminal, terrorist or illegal migrant, but was treated that way by the Australian authorities which causes an understandable indignation of his fans and citizens of Serbia,” a foreign ministry statement said.

The country’s president, prime minister and foreign minister have issued a series of remarks brimming with anger at the treatment of the national hero.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has defended revoking Djokovic’s visa. “Rules are rules and there are no special cases,” he said during the week.

Although Djokovic won a legal reprieve from deportation until at least Monday, when his attempt to overturn his visa cancellation will be heard in court, it is unclear whether he will play in the January 17-30 tournament.

Judge Anthony Kelly warned the star’s lawyers in a hearing on Thursday that justice would move at its own pace through all necessary appeals.

“The tail won’t be wagging the dog here,” he said.

With AFP