‘We Will Gather on the Street’- Novak Djokovic’s Dad Says the Team Will Protest on the Streets of Australia if They Don’t Let Him Play

Novak Djokovic is currently residing in an Australian government-regulated detention hotel in Melbourne. The 20-time Grand Slam champion had his visa canceled by border forces after landing in Australia.

In fact, the matter escalated so much that Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison made a statement. Morrison publicly stated that the rules will not bend for Djokovic, and everyone is equal under the same laws in Australia.

Many have come out in support of Novak Djokovic, who is the defending champion at the upcoming Australian Open. Particularly, his family and his entire country came out on Twitter to support him during this time.

Father Srdjan says Novak Djokovic is ‘captive’

Talking to Serbian media, Novak’s father Srdjan Djokovic stated that he did not know what was going on in Melbourne exactly. “They have been holding my son captive for five hours,” Srdjan said.

In fact, local Australian news corroborates what Srdjan has stated. The media reports that Novak was held in a room for around five hours. Moreover, none of the members of his team were in the room with him, and border forces even took Novak’s mobile phone from him.

Then, Srdjan called to action any and all Serbians and fans of Novak Djokovic. “If they don’t let him go in half an hour, we will gather on the street,” he claimed. “This is a fight for everyone.”

Many people across the world had taken offense to Novak Djokovic securing a medical exemption for playing the Australian Open. Especially, those from Australia, where cases of coronavirus were rising after a very long time, threatening life.

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For Novak Djokovic to be given an exemption just on the basis of being the World No. 1 did not sit right with many Australians. After all, Djokovic had taken a controversial stance in the past. Furthermore, he also refused to reveal his own vaccination status to the world.

Politicians are all against Djokovic

When Novak Djokovic announced his medical exemption, Australian politicians were thrown into a frenzy. They immediately released statements on how Djokovic had to prove the validity of his exemption upon landing in Australia.

Victorian Sports Minister Jaala Pulford demanded that “he (Novak) explains to the Victorian community what the circumstances (are of his exemption).”

Furthermore, even the Australian Prime Minister had sternly made a statement against Djokovic prior to his arrival. Morrison stated that Djokovic would be on “the next flight home” unless he had evidence for the credibility of his exemption.

After his visa was canceled and he was detained, Morrison stated that nobody is above the rules, not even the top-ranked tennis player in the world.

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