Dylan Bettencourt
Novak Djokovic’s demands for a personal chef and a tennis court have been rejected by the Australian Border Force. He also requested a move to a rented apartment and offered to pay for private guards. Those demands were also rejected.
Instead, the world’s number one tennis star is holed up with about 30 refugees and asylum seekers in a hotel in Melbourne, which costs R1,500 per night per person. He will remain there until his court hearing on Monday.
Djokovic’s medical exemption was rejected upon his arrival at Melbourne airport.
He requested a personal chef after becoming dissatisfied with the hotel food, as well as to maintain his gluten-free diet.
The Serbian’s legal team indicated that their client received a medical exemption after testing positive for Covid-19 in December. They provided a letter from the chief medical officer of Tennis Australia, proving his exemption was legitimate.
However, the situation worsened for Djokovic after images emerged of him attending an event less than 24 hours after he tested positive, raising questions about his infection.
Djokovic took to Instagram to thank his fans for their support.
“Thank you to people around the world for your continuous support. I can feel it and it is greatly appreciated,” he posted.
Srdjan, Djokovic’s father, compared his son’s treatment in Australia to Jesus being crucified, as he voiced his anger during a media conference in Serbia.
“What is not fair play is the political witch hunt by everybody, including the Australian prime minister pretending that the rules apply to all,” he said.
“Jesus was crucified and endured many things but is still alive among us. Novak is also crucified. The best sportsman and man in the world. He will endure.”
Living in a cheap hotel must be quite a culture shock for the man many regard as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.
After residing in Monte Carlo for nearly 15 years, the Serb moved to a nine-bedroom villa in Marbella, Spain, in 2020 shortly after the first Covid-19 outbreak. The house has beautiful sea views with ample training facilities.
The Australian Open is due to begin on 17 January.
Image source: @FinancialTimes
