Djokovic was accepted as a hero in Belgrade: "Many did not support him because they were afraid of him"

Hundreds of fans and media people waited for the tennis player at the airport, Lajovic held a flag of support "Like it or not, he's the greatest of them all", Jara: "It's terrible, catastrophe", Katzmanovich: "Want to make him proud, he did so A lot for us "

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17/01/2022

Monday, 17 January 2022, 17:30 Updated: 17:41

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Novak Djokovic is deported from Australia (from Twitter)

Novak Djokovic landed in Belgrade this afternoon (Monday) after a brief stop in Dubai on his way from Melbourne.

The best tennis player in the world, who was expelled from Australia, will be staying in the Serbian capital for the next few days and was greeted by many fans who shouted at him "You are our champion, Novak" and "We love you Nola".

Alec Draco, a member of the Serbian community in Australia, said: "Whoever wins the tournament now does not count."

At Belgrade airport, 60-year-old Marko Stroglovich said: "I think he went down in history as a hero, a man and a warrior against the evil called the Corona Circus."

More on Walla!

Rafael Nadal disappointed that Djokovic was thrown out: "I do not care to be the GOAT"

To the full article

Returned to Serbia.

Djokovic (Photo: Reuters)

Djokovic fans wait at airport (Photo: Reuters)

Fans (Photo: Reuters)

To Iovich with a tribute to Djokovic (Photo: Official website, from Instagram)

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The absence of Novak Djokovic also continues in Australia. His compatriot Dusan Lajowicz (39th in the world) defeated Hungarian Merton Pochowicz (35) in five sets and held the Serbian flag with the caption "Like it or not, he is the greatest of all time" with a picture of Djokovic. Lajovic himself said: "I think he was treated unfairly, the decision itself is terrible and also the reason they made it is terrible. This is not the right way. When I talk to players in the locker room, support for Novak is great. Maybe not on social media, but in the locker room "Maybe not big enough, I do not know why. A lot of top players did not support him, maybe because they know that Novak is the favorite to win the title and now they will have one less hurdle."

The Serbian Muyamir Katzmanovic, who won, also dedicated the victory to Djokovic: "All the things that have happened to Novak in recent days have affected us all, the Serbs. I am obviously disappointed with the decision of the Australian authorities. I think tennis lost a lot in this event in Australia. The best in the world is a loss to sports, spectators and everyone.Besides Novak is the best player in the world, the tournament champion nine times, I expected to play against him in the first round.Unfortunately it did not happen.We are very determined to reciprocate everything in some way, to make Novak proud. He did so much for us, it was hard to see everything he went through. "

To Salo Jarra, who lost to Dennis Shapovalov in four sets, he said: "The feeling here is different without Novak. I sent him a message and told him I was sorry for what happened. I do not understand it, their rules are that you can enter the country with the exception and they do not comply. "In itself, it's terrible, a catastrophe. Not all players support Novak. Personally, I feel he will be stronger after that. It's our mentality, when we fall or when we are treated unjustly, it gives us fuel and motivation, especially for him."

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