In less than 24 hours, Novak Djokovic found himself at the center of a case whose repercussions are still unknown, but which will undoubtedly go down in the annals of tennis history, even if purely sporting considerations are here. far. The world number one started the day on the plane that brought him to Australia. He finished her off at the airport, in isolation, in a room, cut off from the rest of his team, before learning that his visa was canceled and that he would have to return to where he came from.
It is still unclear the exact reasons why the Belgrade champion was unable to clear customs. Whether it is a case of an invalid visa due to an error on the completed form, or documents relating to the medical exemption from which he has benefited to return to the territory to take part in the Open Australia, or … of both (the trend has continued to oscillate between these two hypotheses over the hours and sources), one thing is certain: Djokovic was stranded at Melbourne airport.
It’s a fight for freedom in the world
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Open d’Australie
From the big departure to the point of no return: Djokovic, the story of 36 completely crazy hours
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2 HOURS AGO
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After the Australian Prime Minister on Wednesday morning, who had assured while “Nole” was still in the air, that he should present all the medical guarantees required to justify his exemption, it was the Serbian president who entered the scene in the evening. Aleksandar Vučić said he was able to speak by telephone with Novak Djokovic.
“I told him all of Serbia is with him“, he explained in a statement. But Aleksandar Vučić went further by saying that his country would do”everything so that the harassment of the best tennis player in the world ends immediately. “He then spoke of”bad treatment” against him. “In accordance with the standards of international law, Serbia will fight for Novak Djokovic, for justice and for truth“, he added.
Novak Djokovic’s father Srdan spoke earlier in the evening speaking to the media Sputnik. “If he is not released within the next half hour, we will fight in the streets for his freedom. He has been detained for five hours “, he said, before adding: “It’s a fight for freedom in the world, it’s not just Novak’s fight. It’s everyone’s fight.”
But nothing worked. Shortly after, several Australian media announced that the visa of the nine-time winner of the Australian Open, who hoped to seek a 10th crown at Melbourne Park, had been canceled. Novak Djokovic tries to shoot down one last card in the form of an appeal before a judge, but unless the situation turns around, he will have to return to Europe.
Open d’Australie
Australia cancels Djokovic’s visa and asks him to leave the country
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4 HOURS AGO
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Open d’Australie
Stranded at Melbourne airport, Djokovic waits to know his fate
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8 HOURS AGO
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