Novak Djokovic lists charity donations to fix reputation

Novak Djokovic has fought back to reinvigorate his public reputation, revealing he has given $1 million to the Australian Open junior tennis program, among other charity donations.

Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray during a charity tennis match to raise money for Queensland flood victims in Melbourne in 2011. Picture: AAP

Novak Djokovic has fought back to reinvigorate his public reputation in the ongoing legal battle with Australian authorities, revealing he has given $1 million to the Australian Open junior tennis program and a spate of multimillion dollar Covid-19 related donations.

In the hours before the Australian government revoked his visa for a second time on health and public interest grounds, Djokovic’s official Facebook page listed his most recent donations.

They included specific monies for Covid-19 projects such as 1 million euros to Italian hospitals, 1 million euros to Serbian hospitals, an unspecified amount to Spain and again an unspecified amount for poor children at the Melbourne City Mission. The $25,000 he donated after Australia’s 2019 bushfires was also listed. The list specifically mentions that he gave a million dollars to the Australian Open junior tennis program.

Other donations included buying a CT scanner for Belgrade’s Dragisa Misovic Hospital, renting a private plane to transport a girl with a rare disease to the US for treatment, $500,000 for floods in Serbia, 110,000 euros to fight floods in Bosnia and Croatia, and raising $1.5 million for flood-damaged kindergartens.

His Facebook page also says he donated millions of euros to educate poor thirteen-year-old children as well as paying for the winter training of 15 Serbian tennis players.

The page also argues that as well as being known for his healthy lifestyle and diet, he is a role model for his character and mental endurance, his diligent work and self-discipline.

Across Europe breakfast news bulletins announced the Australian government decision to cancel Djokovic’s visa, with most expecting the world No. 1 to immediately launch a legal appeal.

Questions were raised as to the four-day delay in making the announcement, and its timing late on Friday in Australia while the courts are closed.

Radio Television Serbia legal expert Blazo Nedic said: “I wasn’t surprised with the minister’s decision, because it was foreshadowed. It was expected. The only thing that wasn’t known was timing. It’s questionable if it’s fair to make such a decision on a Friday at 6pm, leaving such a short time to react before the tournament.”

RTS Australian correspondent Sasa Jankovic said the Australian government leads 2-1 in sets against Djokovic.

The Serbian website B92 reported that Djokovic cut short his training session on Friday afternoon after receiving a sudden text message on his phone.

The Serbian website Informer said: “Now it’s Nole’s (Djokovic’s) turn. The appeal of the legal team of the Serbian ace is probably waiting for us, and only then will the final epilogue follow. Australian authorities have denied a visa to the best tennis player in the world.”

On social media there are theories that Djokovic is being punished by Australia because he had supported protesters worried about Australian mining company Rio Tinto’s $2.5bn lithium mining plans for the Jadar Valley, in Serbia’s west.

In early December Djokovic had supported those opposing the mining project saying: “Clean air, water and food are keys to one’s health. Without it, talking about ‘health’ makes no sense.”