Novak Djokovic’s father demands special intervention from The Queen after Australia fiasco | Tennis | Sport
Novak Djokovic’s father has called on The Queen to intervene amid the tennis star’s ongoing ordeal in Australia. The Serb won his court ruling on Monday regarding his visa cancellation, after being held in a Melbourne detention centre following complications over his medical vaccine exemption to compete at this month’s Australian Open.
Djokovic’s family have been vocally outraged at their son’s treatment in Australia, with initial public outrage that his medical exemption would allow him entry into the country.
The 34-year-old has been outspoken in his opposition to mandated vaccines in the past, and reports indicate that he revealed to Australian border officials that he was not fully vaccinated.
He was subsequently held in Melbourne for several days, with his mother describing his living conditions and treatment as ‘inhumane’.
The tennis star’s family has called for more help on the matter, with Australia’s immigration minister retaining powers to re-cancel Djokovic’s visa and deport the defending Australian Open champion.
Speaking to Serbian media on Monday, Srdjan Djokovic, the 20-time Grand Slam champion’s father, called on The Queen to help ‘protect’ his son.
“I call on the Queen of Britain, Elizabeth, the leader of the Commonwealth, to intervene and protect the human rights of my son Novak Djokovic and to stop the political prosecution that has been carried out against him since he came to Australia,” he said.
While the legal victory has been described by the player’s mother as ‘the biggest victory of his career’, tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg pointed out that he may not be out of the woods yet.
In the Australian government’s written response to Djokovic’s deportation appeal document, the right to re-detain the player means that even though he was victorious in ‘Round 1’, it could merely be the beginning of ‘Round 2’.
Despite the chaotic situation, Djokovic himself insists the he remains focused on the first Grand Slam of the year, even if his preparation has been far from ideal.
Taking to Twitter, the nine-time Australian Open champion said: “Despite all that has happened, I want to stay and try to compete in the Australian Open.
“I remain focused on that. I flew here to play at one of the most important events we have in front of the amazing fans.”
Indeed, he was seen practicing on court in Melbourne within hours of being let free.
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