After arriving in Down Under last month for the 2022 Australia Open, Novak Djokovic had been at the centre of a political storm. Nole faced deportation in extraordinary circumstances on the eve of 2022 Australian Open.
Despite being granted a medical vaccine exemption, Djokovic was detained at Melbourne Airport after landing in Australia. He was stopped even though he had obtained a visa by the Australian Border Force.
Novak Djokovic fought hard in the federal court and the judge made the decision in his favour. With the visa reaffirmed he was allowed to compete openly.
Alex Hawke, the immigration minister used his personal “governmental powers” to revoke the visa permission and deported Nole. The minister said that his presence could incite “civil unrest” and encourage anti-vaccine sentiment.
Novak Djokovic Saddened by the Looks of the Other Players
Djokovic gave an all out exclusive interview to the BBC. He opened about the controversies surrounding him in Australia. He spoke about his deportation, medical exemption, his vaccination status and his family.
Djokovic does not want to be associated with the anti-vax movement, but supports an individual’s right to choose.
While awaiting his first court hearing, Djokovic was free to train. While talking to the BBC he said, “But it was not the regular kind of training days that I would normally have prior to the Grand Slam competition.”
“I had helicopters flying above every single training session that I had on Rod Laver Arena, cameras all over the place.”
What shocked and saddened Djokovic was to see the attitude of his fellow players. He said, “Also, I felt that energy and that those looks from my colleagues and people that were in the tennis facility… that really hurt me a lot.”
“And obviously, I understand that they had a perception that was based on what they were seeing from media reports. And I wasn’t going out in the media, because of what was previously said in respecting the legal process and respecting the Australian Open. But at that time, I really wanted to speak to everyone and give my explanation.”
Novak excised that he was “sad” with how events played out in Australia, where he spent days in detention at an immigration hotel.
He said, “I was really sad and disappointed with the way it all ended for me in Australia. It wasn’t easy.”