In his monumental career that witnessed numerous accolades, there were also controversies away from the sport involving Novak Djokovic. But, the latest Australian Open saga is something that the world no. 1 and the tennis community would remember for a long time.
The Serbian’s visa was rejected by the Australian Border Force after he reached the land down under with an approved medical exemption. A federal source revealed that Djokovic failed to provide sufficient evidence and as a result, was not allowed to enter Australia.
Over the past 24-hours, tennis twitter remained hyper-active with journalists and fans waiting to see how the Djokovic story unfolds. Here’s how the tennis world reacted to the Serbian getting his visa rejected.
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Tennis world reacts to Djokovic’s visa rejection in Australia
David Kane, editorial producer at Tennis Channel wrote, “Our kids about to be studying the Serbo-Australian War of 2022…”
Our kids about to be studying the Serbo-Australian War of 2022 in their brain chip virtual classrooms
— David Kane (@DKTNNS) January 5, 2022
Egyptian sports journalist Reem Abulleil tweeted, “Honestly, no one comes out of this looking good. Farcical situation all around”.
Honestly, no one comes out of this looking good. Farcical situation all around.
— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) January 5, 2022
Abby Gardner, freelance writer and editor, hilariously brought in Federer, Nadal, and Murray into the on-going Djokovic saga.
Oh to be on the Fed, Rafa, Andy Murray group text right now… https://t.co/0MH27c9zU1
— Abby Gardner (@abbygardner) January 5, 2022
NBA star Nikola Vucevic expressed disappointment over the issue and commented…
What a joke https://t.co/liZXDd0oTh
— Nikola Vucevic (@NikolaVucevic) January 5, 2022
Let’s also take a look at some of the fan reactions on the whole story. Fans of the world no.1 expressed their support as most of them wanted Djokovic to come back home.
A Djokovic fan tweeted…
Djokovic expends so much energy supporting tennis players who never have his back #shameful #WeStandWithNovak #westandwithDjokovic #AustralianOpen
— Jayne Jane (@JJayne3) January 5, 2022
Some tennis fans reacted in a hilarious way to Djokovic’s detention. A fan compared the entire scenario to that of ‘The Terminal’ movie and wrote, “Tom Hanks looking to buy film rights ….”.
Tom Hanks looking to buy film rights …. https://t.co/nxOuw8VH7M
— RafaMinx (@AmyFun28) January 5, 2022
Fans expressed support for Novak Djokovic while others had hilarious reactions
Another fan tweeted, “This was his evidence for exemption” and attached a photo. Take a look.
This was his evidence for exemption https://t.co/vU4IwGdAXW pic.twitter.com/X8op0PGTaI
— Mike Bradley (@RealMikeBradley) January 5, 2022
Fans have also gone a bit creative and morphed Tom Hanks’ photo from ‘The Terminal’ with that of Djokovic.
Okay, fine..This picture is the winner #Djokovic #AustralianOpen pic.twitter.com/Iu6KxcH3jT
— Ashish (@iashu10) January 5, 2022
Another Djokovic fan was saddened by the decision to reject his visa.
I honestly can't believe what I'm reading right now, this is appalling😪😪#WeStandWithNovak https://t.co/EehnLpJpsL
— Louise (@LouiseAMillward) January 5, 2022
In yet another funny take on the entire story, a person dragged Aussie star Nick Kyrgios.
Border guy is a huge Kyrgios fan. Or he actually IS Nick Kyrgios. https://t.co/xhI7wliuhG
— Father Keanu (@natronbacon) January 5, 2022
A Djokovic fan expressed anguish over the Australian Open and claimed that it was an attempt to stop the Serb from clinching his 21st Grand Slam title.
“This is how far they are willing to go to stop him from breaking the slam record, really sad to see. Australian Open is pretty much becoming an ATP 500 now”.
This is how far they are willing to go to stop him from breaking the slam record, really sad to see. Australian Open is pretty much becoming an ATP 500 now. #WeStandWithNovak #BoycottAusOpen #FreeNovak https://t.co/lmuLR9kdyn
— Asbeth (@Asbeth17) January 5, 2022
Djokovic fans are clearly disappointed as one of the wrote, “This is so unfortunate…”
This is so unfortunate💔…Am just lost for words right now😢#WeStandWithNovak https://t.co/Q0dxPL2yZB
— Alex (@n_alex99) January 5, 2022
A Novak Djokovic admirer was confident that #21 is incoming for the Serb no matter what.
Read more- ‘Honest’: Kim Clijsters Defends Novak Djokovic After Severe Backlash
“I am at lost of words for what treatment Djokovic is getting. This is horribly insane, and how this has becomes a political subject…”
I am at lost of words for what treatment #Djokovic is getting. This is horribly insane, and how this has becomes a political subject. I just hope he gets out of this situation.
P.S: You can't stop Grand Slam #21. https://t.co/TFX6KEZNlD— Moiz Jameel (@MoizJameel2) January 5, 2022
Finally, a fan of the Serbian star wanted Djokovic to fly out of Australia and reach home.
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“Please come home safe @DjokerNole.This doesn’t matter now”.
Please come home safe @DjokerNole 🥺 This doesn’t matter now https://t.co/bdb2IrXeO7
— pica_pica 🎾🐊🦋🐌🦁🕷🐺🐐 (@pica_pica_ajde) January 5, 2022
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All in all, it was an unfortunate moment for Novak Djokovic to endure as the Serbian decided to give one last fight through his lawyers by challenging the visa rejection. Let us know what you think of this whole saga.
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