MELBOURNE, Australia – Tennis world No. 1 Novak Djokovic spent Orthodox Christmas in Australian immigration detention on Friday, January 7, as his lawyers fight a government decision to remove him from the country that could scupper his shot at a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam.
The Australian government pushed back on Friday against suggestions by Serbian supporters, including Djokovic’s family, that the star player was effectively a prisoner, stressing he is free to leave the country at any time. The 34-year-old has not revealed the grounds for the exemption and has consistently refused to disclose his vaccination status, while publicly criticizing mandatory vaccines.As he was confined for a second day to his room in the modest Park Hotel, where several Afghan immigration detainees have been held for months, Djokovic’s plight was met with a mixed response from his rivals in elite tennis.Former World No.
Australia’s Nick Kyrgios said he believed in vaccination “but how we are handling Novak’s situation is bad, really bad.” Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic accused the Australian government of harassment and persecution, allegations rejected by Canberra.Some critics say Prime Minister Scott Morrison is using the issue to boost his pandemic-fighting credentials with an election looming in coming months amid record daily infections, claims the government denies.
The Professional Tennis Players Association, a breakaway players’ group launched by Djokovic in 2020, said they were in close contact with him.
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