Australian Interior Minister Karen Andrews has resolutely countered the allegations made by the family of Serbian tennis professional Novak Djokovic about his treatment after being refused entry. “Mr Djokovic is not being held in Australia, he is free to leave at any time,” Andrews told the Australian media on Friday: “And the border guards would also help him.”
Djokovic’s father Srdjan claimed on Thursday that his son was being held “in a prison”. He also compared the world number one with Jesus on the cross at a curious press conference in Belgrade.
Andrews said that Djokovic was issued a visa. But the border authorities had found after the arrival of the Grand Slam record champion in Melbourne that he did not meet the entry requirements because he was not fully vaccinated.
Djokovic wants to defend his title with a medical exemption for unvaccinated people at the Australian Open (from January 17) and is fighting against the threat of expulsion through his lawyers. A court should decide on Monday. Djokovic is currently housed in a quarantine hotel for people obliged to leave the country.
Boris Becker also criticizes Djokovic
The three-time Wimbledon winner and former coach Boris Becker has also criticized the Serbian’s behavior. “I think he’s making a big mistake not to get vaccinated,” wrote the German tennis legend in a guest post for the Daily Mail. This mistake threatens what remains of his career and the chance to perpetuate himself as the best player in history. Becker trained the Serbs from 2013 to 2016. During this time, Djokovic won six Grand Slam tournaments, including the Australian Open, and became number one again in the world.
Becker continued to write that he was in contact with Djokovic’s current coach, Goran Ivanisevic, after they arrived at Melbourne Airport. But he stayed in another room because everything was okay with his visa. He has not yet spoken to Djokovic, but “I would advise him to get vaccinated – whether he would listen to me is another matter,” said Becker. The rules are to be accepted, he emphasized.