‘He’s not in detention, he’s in prison’
Novak Djokovic’s father launched a verbal attack on the ‘idiots’ he has accused of holding his son ‘prisoner’ in Australia.
The world number one is currently being held in immigration detention and will remain in Australia until Monday when a final decision will be made on if he will be deported.
The Serb – who is being detained at the Park Hotel – announced on Tuesday that he would defend his Australian Open title after he received a medical exemption from having a Covid-19 vaccine
While the news was met with widespread anger across Australia, tournament organisers stated the medical exemption was granted through a “rigorous review process” that went via the country’s Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) guidelines.
However, the 34-year-old then had his visa revoked by Australian border security officials as his team failed to request a visa that permits medical exemptions for being unvaccinated.
Djokovic was held for a number of hours at the airport in Melbourne before being moved to the Park Hotel where he faces a anxious wait to see if the decision will be overturned.
The tennis star’s father, Srdjan, has since claimed that his son is being singled out unfairly and accused Australia of trying to ‘humiliate’ the 20-time Grand Slam champion.
'He's not in detention, he's in prison'.
Novak Djokovic's father, Srdjan, says the Australian government have 'humiliated' his son and kept him imprisoned, with 'all his stuff being taken, including his wallet'.https://t.co/ETQIo3XBNB
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In an interview broadcast by Sky News, he said: “Novak and his team filed the same documents as 25 other tennis players (who received exemptions) and they didn’t have any problems, just Novak.
“They wanted to humiliate him. They could have said ‘don’t come Novak’ and that would have been okay. But no, they wanted to humiliate him and they’re still keeping him in prison.
“He’s not in detention, he’s in prison. They took all of his stuff, even his wallet, they left him with just his phone and no change of clothes, nowhere to wash his face.
“Our pride is a prisoner of these idiots, shame on them, the whole free world together with Serbia should rise. This isn’t a battle for Serbia and Novak, it’s a battle for billions of people, for freedom of expression, for free speech, freedom of behaviour.
“Novak didn’t break any laws, just as seven billion people didn’t break any laws, they want to subdue us and for us all to be on our knees.”
Djokovic’s case has been adjourned until 10am on Monday where the court will hear the decision to cancel the Serb’s visa.
Related links:
- Novak Djokovic will be deported if he lied about vaccine, vows Australia’s deputy PM
- Australian government explains why Novak Djokovic’s visa was cancelled
- Novak Djokovic to remain in Australia until decision on deportation
