Serbia's Prime Minister and Novak Djokovic's family have denounced as "scandalous" Australia's deportation of the tennis star for not being vaccinated against COVID-19, and the Serbian president says he will always be welcome in his homeland.
A unanimous ruling by a three-judge bench has rejected Djokovic's appeal against the cancellation of his visa and dealt a final blow to his hopes of chasing a record 21st Grand Slam win at the Australian Open.
Djokovic's family say they are "very disappointed" with the decision by the Australian authorities, and that the court ruling was related with "politics and all [other] interests".
"Despite the scandalous behaviour towards Novak, we believed that the sport would win," they say.
Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic also describes the decision to deport Djokovic as "scandalous".
"I am disappointed," she says. "I think it demonstrated how the rule of law is functioning - or better to say not functioning - in some other countries.
"In any case, I can hardly wait to see Novak Djokovic in our own country, in Serbia."
The world No.1 was detained by Australian immigration authorities on January 6, ordered released by a court on January 10 and then detained again on Saturday, after Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke used discretionary powers to cancel his visa.
Djokovic, 34, flew out of Australia bound for Dubai on Sunday evening, saying he was extremely disappointed by the court ruling and would respect it.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has spoken to Djokovic since the court decision.
"I told him he is always welcome in Serbia," says Vucic.
The Serbian Tennis Association (TSS) says the "farce is over" and "politics has beaten sport".
"Novak Djokovic... has been denied an opportunity to win a milestone 10th title [in Australia]. Political pressure has led to the revocation of his visa to satisfy 'public interest'," the TSS says.
"It begs the question whether athletes will, from now on, be incarcerated like criminals and deported when it suits the political interests of powerful individuals."
Sports Minister Vanja Udovicic, a former professional water polo player, says Djokovic is the best tennis player ever.
"Everything else is nonsense and shame, absurdity and hypocrisy! Legend, pride of Serbia, we are with you."
In the Serbian capital of Belgrade - Djokovic's home city - many support him, although some feel he should be vaccinated.
"I think Australia should be ashamed of itself and that the decision was not a just one," says student Danilo Mircic. "I am sorry for Novak as a tennis player and as a person."
Says computer programmer Aleksanar Janjic: "If I were him, I would get vaccinated and avoid problems in the future."
Reuters
