On the eve of the Australian Open, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic criticized Australian authorities after a court paved the way for Novak Djokovic’s deportation over vaccine status .
“They think that they have by this, this mistreatment of ten days humiliated Djokovic, but they have humiliated themselves. Djokovic can return to his country with his head held high,” Vucic told a state-run media outlet.
Despite the drama, Vucic has maintained his support for Djokovic, calling the earlier detention a “political witch hunt”.
“In my conversation with Novak Djokovic following the decision, I encouraged him. We look forward to him returning to his home country, where he is always welcome,” the president said.
In Australia, Djokovic said he was “extremely disappointed” by the federal court’s decision that upheld the government’s right to revoke his visa over concerns he is stoking anti-vaccine sentiment, and ended his chances of a record 21st Grand Slam.
Djokovic’s fans in Serbia were outraged by the ruling.
Nebojsa Viskovic, a tennis journalist, told AFP: “It’s a farce. It has nothing to do with the sport.”
“It doesn’t matter whether he was vaccinated or not.”
Other Serbs shared the same opinion.
Jadranka Misic, a 29-year-old sociologist from Belgrade, said, “The decision is not a surprise, but still shameful.”
Milovan Jankovic felt that Australia and the tournament itself were little more than pyrrhic victories.
The tournament will be ridiculous without the defending champion and nine-time winner.
In response to the unanimous decision, Djokovic said he was “extremely disappointed.”
