An 11-day saga over Djokovic’s entry visa ended with the
Serb being deported for failing to meet Australia’s strict COVID-19 vaccination
requirements.
The top-ranked tennis star met with Serbian President
Aleksandar Vucic on Thursday and described the events in Australia as
“unexpected, to say the least.”
“I wanted to meet with you today because, primarily as a
citizen of Serbia, I felt a great need to thank you for great support that you,
as the president of Serbia, gave me, as well as all state institutions during
the unfortunate events in Australia,” Djokovic said.
“Although I was alone in detention, and faced with many
problems and challenges, I wasn’t feeling lonely. I had huge support primarily
from my family, all of the close people in my life, entire Serbian nation, many
people with good intentions from the region and the world.”
He did not speak about details of the events in Australia,
promising to give his “version” later.
Djokovic’s meeting with the increasingly autocratic Vucic
drew criticism from some of his fans in the Balkan country, where he is
generally considered an icon and a hero. The critics say Vucic used the event
to boost his popularity ahead of general elections scheduled for April.
The meeting happened a day after Serbia’s state prosecutors
rejected suggestions voiced by some Western media that Djokovic used a fake
positive test for COVID-19 to try to enter Australia.
To enter Australia, Djokovic submitted a positive test
issued in Serbia on Dec. 16 for a visa exemption on the grounds that he had
recently recovered from the virus.
He is not vaccinated, and the Australian government later
decided to cancel his visa and deport Djokovic, saying his presence in
Australia could stir anti-vaccination sentiments.
Djokovic’s rival, Rafael Nadal, won the Australian Open for
a record 21st men’s Grand Slam singles title. Djokovic and Roger Federer have
20 major titles.
Vucic praised Djokovic and said he was certain he will beat
Nadal and Federer at the coming French Open and Wimbledon — the Grand Slams
where Djokovic could also face restrictions if he doesn’t get vaccinated. -AP
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