via Reuters
Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic departs from the Park Hotel government detention facility before attending a court hearing at his lawyers office in Melbourne, Australia, January 16, 2022. AAP Image/James Ross via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. AUSTRALIA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN AUSTRALIA. NEW ZEALAND OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN NEW ZEALAND
via Reuters
Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic departs from the Park Hotel government detention facility before attending a court hearing at his lawyers office in Melbourne, Australia, January 16, 2022. AAP Image/James Ross via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. AUSTRALIA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN AUSTRALIA. NEW ZEALAND OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN NEW ZEALAND
Back in 2022, when the effects of COVID-19 were about to meet an end, Djokovic, as he decided to stick to his decision of not getting vaccinated, was deported from Australia. Underneath this news that the world is already aware of, there were mysterious nights that the tennis legend spent in a refugee hotel. Now, a story of his special friendship has come up from that day with a person.
Despite being in a challenging phase, the Serb unknowingly made a positive impact on the refugees that were held in the same building. As the tennis star is now about to begin his run for the 11th title, he recently revealed an unheard story of finding a friend in an Iranian refugee.
Novak Djokovic opens up about the ‘connection with Mehdi’ during his tough time
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Tennis legend Novak Djokovic recently opened up about his unique friendship with an Iranian refugee. Mehdi, who spent nine years in detention, shared moments with Djokovic while he was going through a tough time in his career. The bond had its roots at the Park Hotel in Melbourne, where the Serb stayed for five nights before being deported in 2022 due to his vaccination status.
When Novak Djokovic was refused entry to Australia, he was held at Melbourne's Park Hotel, a migrant detention center. Djokovic got out after a few days, but the refugees held alongside him are not as lucky. They have been kept in detention for many yearshttps://t.co/z1V8VLSju1 pic.twitter.com/n2HbiecVNh
— The Communiqué with Richard Medhurst (@TheCommuniqueRM) February 3, 2022
In a recent interview, Djokovic expressed his special connection with Mehdi. “I feel some kind of special connection with Mehdi. We keep in touch; he lives in Minnesota now, so we will see each other when I go to the US. He told me that he was grateful for the attention my case brought,” he mentioned.
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As the tennis star revealed this tale of remembering a friend who shook hands with him during a tough time, he gave fans a hint of his good nature. However, besides remembering the friend and explaining the bond, Djokovic also expressed his happiness about the good that came because of his presence at the Park Hotel.
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Djokovic remembers an unintentional good deed
As Djokovic remembered the setback moments when he had to go through a lot, he also highlighted some positive aspects that came out of it. As the tennis star was kept in the Park Hotel, he revealed how the media turned their attention because of him and therefore the refugees were released.
Djokovic shared his thoughts on the detainees’ release, saying, “From what I’ve understood, most of the detainees were released. It was one good thing that came out of all that – because of me, that place got so much media attention, the pressure from the media followed and people were released.”
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As the tennis star came up with the unheard stories, it not only reminded fans of the moment but also built an emotional connection with the Serb’s tough journey.
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