Tennis star Novak Djokovic is not allowed to enter Australia. The Serbian head of government suspects politically motivated reasons, there are demonstrations in front of parliament. Djokovic’s father compares his son to Jesus Christ.
Serbia’s Prime Minister Ana Brnabic suspects political reasons behind the difficulties encountered when Serbian tennis ace Novak Djokovic entered Australia. “I can’t really see anything else,” she told Sky News on Thursday.
“The fact is, I think Novak was treated differently,” Brnabic continued. There are about 20 other participants in the Australian Open for whom exemptions from the requirement to present a vaccination certificate would apply.
Serbia’s Prime Minister Ana Brnabi
Source: dpa / Peter Foley
Djokovic is the only one with such a special permit who has been refused entry, the politician continued, adding: “We will do our best to ensure that Novak comes into his own and is treated equally.” World number one must be allowed to leave his hotel and continue the quarantine in a house he has rented. Brnabic did not want to comment on the views of Djokovic, who is considered an opponent of vaccinations. “It has nothing to do with it,” said the head of government.
The ATP Cup is currently being played in Sydney. Here, too, Serbs demonstrate for Novak Djokovic
What: REUTERS
The very likely unvaccinated Djokovic had traveled to Australia with a highly controversial medical exemption and landed in Melbourne late on Wednesday evening (local time). The Australian border protection authorities had denied him entry because he had not submitted any suitable evidence to meet the entry requirements. Djokovic has sued, a court in Melbourne wants to make a decision on Monday. The Australian Open begins a week later.
Press conference in the “Novak 1” restaurant
Meanwhile, Djokovic’s father compared his son to Jesus Christ. “Jesus was crucified, everything was done to him, and he endured it and still lives among us,” said Srdjan Djokovic on Thursday at a press conference in Belgrade: “Now they are trying to crucify Novak in the same way and do everything to him. “
In addition to the father, other family members took part in the press conference. It took place in the restaurant “Novak 1”, which belongs to the tennis player. In his dramatic speeches, Srdjan Djokovic stylized the son as a “freedom fighter”.
Srdjan Djokovic on Thursday with a megaphone in front of the Serbian parliament
Quelle: AFP/ANDREJ ISAKOVIC
“Novak is Serbia and Serbia is Novak,” he said. “He will fight like us, and like us Serbs together with the whole Balkans.” Djokovic is “the light at the end of the tunnel” for the “world of freedom”. This is not formed by the West, but by “seven billion people” who live in Eastern Europe, Russia, China, Latin America and Africa.
Protesters light candles
In addition, father Djokovic took part in a demonstration in front of the Serbian seat of government with a megaphone. In Melbourne, too, Serbs demonstrated in front of the hotel where Djokovic is staying until late in the evening. They lit candles.
Protesters outside Djokovic’s residence in Melbourne
Source: AP / Hamish Blair
Serbia’s pro-government press also has a clear opinion on the subject and hardly leaves out a superlative. “This is the biggest sports scandal of all time,” headlined the tabloid “Kurir”. The newspaper “Informer” wrote: “Scandal and shame: Novak arrested in Melbourne”.
.
