Last Wednesday, the world-famous tennis star, Novak Djokovic , was detained at the Australian border while traveling to the Australian O...
Last Wednesday, the world-famous tennis star, Novak Djokovic, was detained at the Australian border while traveling to the Australian Open due to his unvaccinated status. The Serbian tennis player was denied entry into Australia despite having proven natural immunity to COVID, as well as having been granted a medical exemption to the vaccine requirement. This prompted an outpouring of support from fans in Australia, who came out in protest against his treatment.
In an interview with GB News, Djokovic’s uncle expressed his frustration with the Australian lawmakers for detaining his nephew. “I don’t know what’s wrong with the people there,” he said. “If Novak is not welcome there, they’re supposed to say that… If they issue a visa for him and after that they arrest him, this is like a trap for animals”.
Djokovic’s uncle continues, saying the Australian government is “trying to put him on his knees”, but insists this “is not possible”, maintaining confidence in his nephew’s strength perseverance.
World number one tennis player Novak Djokovic's uncle expressed dismay and anger at the way the Australian government handled his nephew's entry into the country ahead of the Australian Open https://t.co/2NObcC7p3B pic.twitter.com/p0pLNu2lzs
— Reuters (@Reuters) January 10, 2022
In a press conference, Djokovic’s brother also expressed support for him, saying “Novak is only fighting for the liberty of choice.” He also made it clear that his family is standing behind Djokovic, regardless of what happens.
“Novak is only fighting for the liberty of choice.”#Djokovic’s brother says the past six days have been "a real hard process" https://t.co/QBBY1whveG pic.twitter.com/8p60gSlYl0
— Bloomberg Quicktake (@Quicktake) January 10, 2022
After being held inside a poorly-kept facility that houses asylum seekers and refugees, Djokovic finally received the federal judge’s ruling today that his visa would be reinstated and he can stay in Australia for the tournament.
After being released into the country, Djokovic expressed his gratitude in a Tweet, writing, “I’m pleased and grateful that the Judge overturned my visa cancellation. Despite all that has happened, I want to stay and try to compete”.
“For now I cannot say more but THANK YOU all for standing with me through all this and encouraging me to stay strong,” he said in a follow-up tweet.
For now I cannot say more but THANK YOU all for standing with me through all this and encouraging me to stay strong 🙏🙏🙏🙏
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 10, 2022
Immediately following the tennis star’s release, fans gathered in the streets to celebrate the win and show support for him. They surrounded a vehicle with blacked-out windows which they believed to be carrying Djokovic.
In a video from NPR, police spray the fans to get them clear of the car’s path as they cheer on the tennis player. They continue to celebrate the victory even as the police force them out of the way.
Tennis star Novak Djokovic won a court battle to stay in Australia to contest the Australian Open despite being unvaccinated against COVID-19.
In this video, police pepper sprayed a group of fans after they blocked the path of a car they believed was carrying Djokovic. pic.twitter.com/T5sO2A7kzd
— NPR (@NPR) January 10, 2022
Djokovic’s proud mother spoke out following the ruling, saying that this court ruling was “biggest victory in his career, bigger than all his grand slams”.
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