The Serbian star is currently being held in a Government
detention hotel in Victoria, after his legal team sought an injunction to
prevent him being deported out of Australia.
The decision on that appeal won't be known until Monday, but
Djokovic has now taken to Instagram to deliver a message to his fans.
"Thank you to people around the world for your
continuous support. I can feel it and it is greatly appreciated," he said.
It's the first time that Djokovic, 34, has posted since his
controversial announcement on Tuesday that after months of speculation, he
would be competing at the Australian Open despite not being vaccinated against
Covid-19.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion revealed he had been
permitted to compete via a medical exemption, only to land in Victoria on
Wednesday and be declined entry through customs.
Border force officials then interrogated him for several
hours before confirming his visa would be revoked, and he was due to be
deported out of the country on Thursday.
That process has now been delayed as his legal team fight to
ensure he will be able to defend his Grand Slam title in Melbourne Park. In the
meantime, Djokovic is confined to the Park Hotel in Carlton - which also holds
refugees and people in quarantine after contracting Covid-19.
Public sympathy for Djokovic has been in short supply,
although there have been supporters - as well as protestors - gathering outside
his hotel to demonstrate.
News of his message was promptly posted on Twitter, and
prompted a mixed reaction from tennis fans.
"He thinks he’s on some sort of crusade doesn’t
he," replied @HaddTennisFan, while @LSALad queried "Can he also,
therefore, feel the lack of support?"
@tohabebj took a similar line, joking "His hearing
isn’t great then. Get jabbed."
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