Novak Djokovic’s father has lashed out on the Australian authorities over the therapy of the tennis star, likening it to an “assassination try”.
Key factors:
- Djokovic’s father likened the ruling to an assassination try, then distanced himself from these feedback
- The Serbian president accused the Australian authorities of utilizing Djokovic for a political agenda
- Serbian locals say they’re offended on the deportation
Srdjan Djokovic took to social media to blast the Federal Courtroom’s ruling to uphold the federal government’s determination to cancel his son’s visa.
“The try and assassinate the very best athlete on this planet has ended, 50 bullets in Novak’s chest,” a submit to his Instagram mentioned.
Mr Djokovic later distanced himself from the submit, saying the phrases weren’t his however of his son’s followers.
In an announcement, the Djokovic household mentioned: “We shall be there to share the blows he obtained, to assist him regain his power, his religion on this sport, above all in honest play, which was utterly absent right here.”
As Serbs voted on the way forward for their structure on Sunday, these divided by politics had been additionally united in anger on the destiny of their homegrown hero and nationwide icon.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić spoke to Djokovic moments earlier than he was deported from Melbourne.
He mentioned Australia’s therapy of the tennis star throughout his 10-day keep amounted to torture – echoing feedback he made in an Instagram video posted on Friday.
“It was not solely mental however bodily torture in opposition to Novak Djokovic,” Mr Vucic mentioned.
“And there was one thing else which was even worse: that was a witch-hunt organised in opposition to Novak Djokovic.”
Mr Vučić criticised the Australian authorities for altering the foundations to suit a political agenda.
“When you solely made it clear that whoever shouldn’t be vaccinated can’t enter the nation, Novak Djokovic both would not have gone or he would have gotten vaccinated,” he mentioned.
“Those who assume they confirmed how they persist with their ideas, have solely proven that they’ve by no means had any.”
Serbia’s Prime Minister Ana Brnabić had maintained a measured response all through the saga however known as the ultimate determination to deport Djokovic “scandalous”.
“It has been unimaginable to witness brutal lies, unimaginable lies in Australia by the representatives of the state,” she instructed reporters within the capital Belgrade.
Earlier, the nation’s sports activities and youth minister, Vanja Udovičić, mentioned Serbia was contemplating the following diplomatic steps it’d take.
“That is now not a query of sport, however we’re speaking in regards to the breach of his liberty and the way in which during which every citizen on this planet ought to be handled,” he mentioned.
Australia’s Dwelling Affairs Minister Karen Andrews remained staunch on Monday morning that the therapy of Djokovic was in step with the federal government’s border coverage.
“I’m very a lot conscious of a number of the commentary that’s taking place however my job as Australia’s Dwelling Affairs Minister is to guard our borders,” Ms Andrews mentioned.
“I perceive that this has performed out very publicly however … Australians might be very assured that the Morrison authorities and its ministers will do all that they will to make sure we’ve sturdy borders and that these people who find themselves making an attempt to come back to Australia abide by the legal guidelines of the time.”
‘Muhammad Ali was vilified too’
Athletes and political figures throughout Europe took to social media to share messages of assist for the world primary.
On Twitter, Serbia’s national Olympic team said, “Regardless of the good injustice completed to him, [Novak Djokovic] is our winner!”
“Solely he is aware of how troublesome the earlier days had been for him, and in such circumstances, he confirmed all of the manners of the best champion!”
Former president of the UN Normal Meeting Vuk Jeremić additionally backed his countryman.
“The legacy of [Novak Djokovic] will transcend attaining historic tennis file,” he wrote on Twitter.
“One ought to keep in mind that Muhammad Ali was vilified too, after refusing to go to Vietnam. The remainder was historical past.”
‘Very ugly and unfair’
Anger had been constructing on the streets of the capital since Serbia’s nationwide hero was positioned in immigration detention final week.
“I am actually, like, offended due to it, and I am additionally unhappy due to it,” Belgrade resident Ivan Sascie instructed the ABC.
“I believe it is a unhealthy determination as a result of he is the primary tennis participant.
“In fact, Serbia is unhappy you understand, he is like a nationwide hero right here.”
Sladjana Radovic accused the Australian authorities of not liking Serbians.
“I believe it’s totally ugly and unfair, and he actually would not deserve it.
“He did a number of good issues for tennis, for Australian folks.
“I do not know, possibly as a result of he is from Serbia or I do not know why, [but] I believe they do not like him.”
“He is among the best issues Serbia has in the intervening time … you do not have, sadly, a number of nice issues in Serbia, so Novak is the very best.”
‘Give attention to the sport and event I like’
In an announcement, Djokovic mentioned he was “extraordinarily disillusioned with the Courtroom ruling” however hoped the world’s consideration would quickly return to tennis.
Djokovic boarded a flight from Melbourne to Dubai simply hours after a unanimous ruling by a three-judge bench rejected his enchantment in opposition to the cancellation of his visa on Sunday.
It’s unclear whether or not the world’s top-ranked male tennis participant will fly to Belgrade to spend time along with his household or return to his luxurious dwelling in Monte Carlo.
A consultant for the tennis ace mentioned Djokovic wouldn’t present additional remark till after the Australian Open completed on the finish of the month.
The Serb had been chasing a record-breaking twenty first grand slam win on the event, which might have seen him pull forward of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal as probably the most profitable male singles tennis champion in historical past.