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Landing in Belgrade instead of defending his title in Australia: Serbian Novak Djoković landed in Belgrade on Monday after being expelled from Australia.
The tennis star left Nikola Tesla Airport through a side entrance, avoiding journalists and his waiting fans.
For many of them, Djokovic is apparently more of a freedom fighter than world number one in tennis.
sound bites
'I think he made history. As a hero, as a man, as a fighter against this evil called the Corona circus. He is an eternal champion, whatever will happen in the future. Thanks to all. I thank all of our people in Australia for their support who supported him every day while he was in prison. I don't know what else to say. Novak is king, Novak is tsar, the greatest legend on this planet."
“It's a shame what they did to Novak in Australia. It's a shame that the world has come to the point where we have to be forced to do something, to get vaccinated. I myself am vaccinated, twice in fact, but I think nobody should be forced to do anything. Novak was convicted because he made a free decision and spoke freely. We thought that only existed in the books of Orwell, Kafka and Albert Camus«
“I don't think he will have any impact on whether people get vaccinated or not. In fact, he has helped many countries during these difficult times with donations so that people can get vaccinated and so on. He has his reasons for not wanting to be vaccinated. He won't say why, but it's a human right not to get vaccinated."
The landing in Belgrade ended a day-long argument about Djoković's planned participation in the Australian Open.
The world number one had traveled to Australia to defend his title at the Grand Slam tournament - unvaccinated.
After inconsistencies in a PCR test and his entry form, detention pending deportation and an objection to the visa withdrawal, Australian judges finally decided on Sunday: The Serb must leave the country again.
Djokovic responded in writing: he was "extremely disappointed" with the decision, but would respect it.
The tennis star is now officially banned from entering Australia for three years.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison indicated in a radio interview that Djokovic could return earlier "under the right circumstances".
Upon landing in his home country, Djoković's fans hardly got a glimpse of their darling.
It is also unclear when he will return to the big tennis stage.
At the French Open in May, athletes will also have to present a vaccination certificate in the future.