President Aleksandar Vucic leads Serbian backlash against Djokovic visa cancellation

A last minute decision to revoke tennis superstar Novak Djokovic’s visa has been met with widespread condemnation from the Serbian community.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. Picture: Getty Images

A last-minute decision to revoke Novak Djokovic’s visa – leaving him locked inside a quarantine hotel on Orthodox Christmas eve – has been met with outrage from the Serbian community.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic slammed Djokovic’s treatment after a phone call with the nine-time Australian Open champion.

“I told our Novak that the whole of Serbia is with him, and that our authorities are taking all measures to stop the harassment of the best tennis player in the world in the shortest possible period,” he wrote.

“In accordance with all norms of international public law, Serbia will fight for Novak Djokovic, for justice and truth.”

Despite bouts of heavy rain, about 30 members of Melbourne’s Serbian community gathered with flags and music, and repeatedly chanted “Novak” in support of the world No.1 player outside the Park Royal in Carlton.

The hotel, formerly the Rydges on Swanston, is where infection control breaches sparked Victoria’s deadly second wave in 2020.

It is also where about 45 refugees are currently being held in detention, with one holding up a flag in a window that said: “stop the torturer centre”.

Djokovic fan Dragana Skoric travelled more than one hour from her home in Geelong with badnjak – an acorn branch – a traditional Serbian Christmas symbol.

“It’s his Christmas tomorrow and this is our traditional Christmas tree. And I feel like he deserves to have one because he won’t get a chance because he is locked up here,” Ms Skoric, 38, said.

“He is pretty strong mentally, if anyone can get through the toughest of things it is him, but I would imagine, being the humble human being that he is, and considering what he’s done in his life and his generosity, that he would be feeling disheartened.

“He did everything right. He applied for the exemption … and followed all the rules.”

Another Djokovic fan, Sandra Milisic, said authorities should have resolved any issues with his visa before he entered Australia.

“So this is nothing in terms of (the war). I think he’s going to respect where he’s staying and how he’s being treated and all of that, and we just hope that he comes back better and stronger,” Ms Milisic, 33, said. “I think that the Serbian community here is so strong, and so supportive and so loving. I would understand if he didn’t come back because of the way he has been treated.”

Ivanka Procek labelled the bungle a “miscarriage of justice”. “He applied and he got it (an exemption).”

 

Serbian newspaper Novosti said the decision to reverse Djokovic’s visa was hypocritical as several other players were granted exemptions. “Public pressure in the past 48 hours since he was announced to travel has led politicians to lower the ramp and find a way to prevent him from entering the country,’’ the paper reported.

Populist right-wing tabloid Informer had been updating the situation throughout the day. It screamed: “A NEW DETAIL OF TYRANNY HAS emerged! The police treat Novak as if he were the biggest TERRORIST”.

Djokovic’s father, Srdjan, told a Serbian radio station that Djokovic had been isolated in the airport, and called for supporters to gather in the street to fight for the whole world.

“If they don’t release him in the next half an hour we will fight them on the street,” he said.

The Australian government Smart Traveller website has advised against travel to Serbia due to the Covid pandemic.

Angry amateur tennis players staged a small peaceful protest outside the Australian embassy in Belgrade immediately after confirmation Djokovic would be deported.

The handful of players hitting tennis balls outside the embassy chanted Djokovic’s name and accused Australia of mistreatment of the world No.1.

Others on social media were posting the address of the embassy and encouraging further protest

Anyone travelling to Serbia must provide a negative PCR test, unless they are from a country with a “de facto” recognition of vaccination certificates. The certificate can be used for entry instead of a negative test in that case.

Travellers only have to isolate for 10 days if they don’t have a negative PCR test or vaccine certificate. Serbia in October introduced a mandatory “health pass” – proof of Covid-19 vaccination – for access to restaurants, hotels and cafes after 10pm.

Nearly 60 per cent of the country’s population is vaccinated, according to Reuters.

Additional reporting: Ivica Profaca