Novak Djokovic is being “treated like a prisoner” by Australian authorities, his mother, Dijana Djokovic, told reporters during a press conference in Belgrade on Thursday (6).
It is believed that Djokovic was transferred to the Park Hotel in Melbourne after having his entry visa blocked before the Australian Open, according to affiliates of the CNN Seven Network e Nine News.
The hotel, formerly used by the Australian government as a Covid-19 quarantine facility, is now used as an alternative place of detention for refugees and asylum seekers.
His mother said she spoke briefly with her son on Thursday, adding that he said he couldn’t sleep.
“I feel terrible since yesterday, the last 24 hours they’ve been holding him prisoner. Is not fair. It’s not human,” Dijana said. She called the current accommodation “terrible”, describing it as “just a small immigration hotel”.
“It’s so dirty and the food so horrible,” he added.
“[As autoridades] they don’t want to give him any chance of moving to a better hotel or house that he’s already rented”, added the tennis player’s mother.
Djokovic has not publicly disclosed his vaccination status, but at a news conference Thursday, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the 34-year-old man “did not have a valid medical exemption” from the incoming vaccination requirement. to the country.
According to Our World In Data, 46.76% of Serbia’s population has been fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
Djokovic’s legal team sought an urgent injunction against the Australian Border Forces decision to revoke his visa. The country’s Federal Court adjourned a decision until Monday on whether he will be allowed to remain in Australia or be deported, according to Reuters and public broadcaster ABC.
His brother, Djordje, described the action by the Australian authorities as a “serious diplomatic violation”, telling how communication was abruptly cut off between the player and his family.
“Within the first 45 minutes, I think, he was communicating with family and staff, and that stopped abruptly,” Djordje said during a press conference in Belgrade on Thursday.
“He didn’t have any contact because his phone was taken away for three and a half hours”, he added.
Djokovic ended up getting his phone back and moved to another isolation room, his brother added.
After his visa was revoked, Djokovic was taken through metal detectors at Melbourne Airport and had all of his belongings and bags removed, according to his brother.
“His wallet and change of clothes were taken from him,” said Djordje. “He was taken to the migrant’s hotel, to a dirty room, and was told that all his belongings would be returned to him on his departure for Europe,” he said.
Djokovic will stay in Australia while the injunction goes to court, ABC reported.
He hopes to win his 10th Australian Open title and a record 21st Grand Slam title this month.
The tournament starts on January 17th and ends on January 30th.
AnneClaire Stapleton e Jessie Yeung, da CNN, contributed to the report. Additional information from Reuters.
Reference: CNN Brasil
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