Novak Djokovic thanked his support “around the world” on Friday in a first reaction since he was placed in detention in Australia after the cancellation of his visa because of the vagueness surrounding his vaccination situation.
“Thank you to my family, loved ones, Serbia, and all the good people around the world who send me their support. Thank God for the health, ”he wrote in a Serbian message posted on Instagram. This support, “I can feel it and it is greatly appreciated,” he also writes in English.
The world No. 1 in tennis also wishes a Merry Christmas to the Orthodox, he who woke up for the second time on Friday in a Melbourne detention center where the Australian Open begins on January 17, the first round of the Grand Slam 2022.
New hearing Monday
He was placed there awaiting deportation after the cancellation of his visa to enter Australia, on the night of Wednesday to Thursday, on the grounds that he did not meet the strict conditions of entry on the territory imposed as part of the fight against Covid-19.
According to the Australian government, the papers of the 34-year-old player, who had opposed compulsory vaccination and whose vaccination status is unknown, did not meet the required conditions. He will not be deported until Monday, the date of a new hearing before a judge in Melbourne.
Djokovic had landed in Melbourne on Wednesday in hopes of defending his Australian Open title (January 17-30) and winning a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title, after officially receiving a waiver.