Australian Championship 2022

Players express support for Novak Djokovic, coach proves: "Everything is political"

Zebrav claims that the affair will not harm his legacy, Medvedev does not understand why he is being treated, a Croatian coach claims: I came in with the same visa from Djokovic, suddenly because of him they decided to deport me

Walla!

sport

15/01/2022

Saturday, 15 January 2022, 19:31 Updated: 19:47

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Novak Djokovic's fans support him outside the Park Hotel in Melbourne, Australia (from Twitter)

While Australian public opinion was clearly biased against Novak Djokovic and local immigration minister Alex Hawke decided to revoke the tennis player's visa and expel him from the country - many began to express support for Djokovic. The Serb will be staying tonight (Saturday) at a hotel in Melbourne, along with refugees and asylum seekers, and will wait for the court hearing on his appeal, meanwhile he has begun to gain support from his colleagues.

Alexander Zebrav, ranked 3rd in the world, hints that Djokovic has been treated unfairly, amid claims he is a victim of political considerations by Australian government officials, who are facing public pressure and belligerent opposition. "I do not know how it was perceived among the crowd," said the German, "I know he is one of the greatest ever in the history of the industry, thanks to his achievements that can not be taken. He still won 20 Grand Slams. He is still the player with the most weeks In first place. Most wins in Masters tournaments. What he goes through is not beautiful, for everyone, and especially for him.But do not doubt his legacy. "

More on Walla!

Novak Djokovic was returned to solitary confinement before deportation, Rafael Nadal Oketz

To the full article

Do you do it to him?

Djokovic returned to solitary confinement hotel (Photo: Reuters)

More on Walla!

• Serbian President: "Australia not only humiliates Djokovic, but an entire nation"

• The reason for the cancellation of the visa: "Djokovic would excite the community of vaccine opponents"

• Australian immigration minister has made it clear he sees Djokovic as "a danger to public health and public order"

• Natural and home treatment for knee pain - with reimbursement from the health insurance fund

Danil Medvedev, ranked 2nd, doubts the motives that led to the cancellation of Djokovic's visa and hints at illegitimate arbitrariness. "I want to say about Novak's situation in Australia, it's a question of their rules," said the Russian, "but from what I know, if he had a visa that allowed him to enter Australia and do whatever he wanted, then he should play. If suddenly his medical exemption is not accepted "Or something else is not accepted, well - any country can deny your entry." Medvedev added: "I just know that the prime minister said no. But I could not read why. That is what interests me, what is the reason. Did he just say, 'I do not want Djokovic in the country'? Is there a legal reason for that? Because of that It will be interesting to see what happens to his appeal in court. "

The claim for selective enforcement against Djokovic is repeatedly stated that according to several reports, there were a number of people who did come to the Australian Championships with the same medical exemption as Djokovic had, and also received a permit to enter the country. Croatian coach Philip Serdrosic, the brother and coach of 246-ranked Nino Serdrosic, claims he was given permission to enter, but suddenly it was decided to deport him. "At the expense of my name, no one can gain political power, but Djokovic is such a strong and famous name, which is why it all happens," the coach said. He said he had made it clear at the border that he was not vaccinated but was entitled to an exemption because he was recovering from Corona, and received approval. However, he said, "suddenly, because they arrested him, they decided to deport me as well," he said.

Rafael Nadal, on the other hand, who, like Djokovic, is trying to win his 21st Grand Slam, sounds more reluctant.

The Spaniard said at the beginning of the affair that "Djokovic has known the rules for a long time, you just get vaccinated. Everyone is allowed to do what he thinks, but let him know the consequences and bear them," in a kind of critique of his friend.

Today he added that "the truth is that I'm a little tired of talking about it, it's more important that they talk about tennis, about our sport ... I really appreciate Djokovic, as a person and of course as a player, no doubt, but no one is bigger than the tournament "If he plays, fine. If not, the tournament will be big, too."

"What he goes through, it's not beautiful, for everyone, and especially for him."

Zebra (Photo: Reuters)

"Is there a legal reason for this?".

Medvedev (Photo: GettyImages, Sarah Stier)

As you may recall, on Friday Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke decided to revoke the Serbian tennis player's residence visa again, and ruled that he should be deported from the country as soon as possible. The unvaccinated Djokovic landed in Melbourne last week to prepare for the Australian Championship which kicks off on January 17, but was stopped at the airport after authorities claimed he did not meet medical criteria to be ruled out and take part in the tournament.

Australia had already ordered his deportation earlier this week, but the world-ranked Serb appealed the decision, and the court accepted his appeal and ordered that he be allowed to participate in the games, arguing that the failures and misunderstandings were primarily the responsibility of the relevant Australian authorities. But on Friday, as mentioned, the immigration minister used his special authority to overturn the court decision and ruled that Djokovic would be deported from the country, and may even be punished and banned from entering Australia until 2025.

Bessarabia argues that the real challenge in the trial is the immigration minister's argument that Djokovic "poses a threat to public order" because, among other things, it could ignite a protest by vaccine opponents.

"The problem will be to prove that a person poses a danger to public order only on the basis of what the government believes that person's views may be," the Serbian media wrote.

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• Novak Djokovic

• Sasha Zebrav