Search icon

News

07th Jan 2022

Novak Djokovic breaks silence from Australian detention hotel

Callum Boyle

Djokovic took to Instagram to post for the first time since arriving at the Park Hotel

Novak Djokovic has broken his silence on social media to update fans on his current situation from the Park Hotel in Carlton.

The Serb is currently being held in the hotel after his visa to enter Australia was denied by the Australian Border Force and will wait until Monday to find out whether he will be deported from the country.

Several comments have been made about the treatment the world number one is receiving, with the hotel coming under a large degree of scrutiny for its poor conditions, which includes maggots being discovered in the food.

Fans have been spotted outside of the hotel with messages of support for the nine-time Australian Open winner, with the Serb spotted blowing kisses from the window of his hotel room.

But Djokovic has updated his fans on his Instagram with his first post since arriving in Melbourne on Wednesday.

He said: “Thank you to people around the world for your continuous support. I can feel it and it is greatly appreciated.”

The 20-time Grand Slam champion also posted a messaged wishing the people of Serbia a happy Christmas as today (January 7) is the traditional day that Serbs celebrate Christmas.

He added: “The peace of God. A Christ has been born. Merry Christmas. May God’s love strengthen and fulfil you.”

Djokovic had originally been granted a medical exemption due to the fact that he had yet to confirm publicly whether he has been vaccinated, however a mix-up with his application meant he had insufficient proof of why he hadn’t received a vaccination.

Related links: