Djokovic a victim of politics, kept in captivity in Aus: Family

BELGRADE: Novak Djokovic’s family said he was the victim of a “political agenda” in Australia as they rallied around the world number one who was denied entry into the country on Thursday for his Australian Open title defence.

The 34-year-old Djokovic was granted a medical exemption from Covid-19 vaccination requirements to compete in the year’s first major, but after a public outcry he was detained by officials at the border on Thursday.

Djokovic is now in a quarantine hotel in Melbourne after his lawyers secured an agreement for him to stay in the country for a court hearing on Monday in which he hopes to overturn the federal government ban on his entry.

Australian PM Scott Morrison said earlier in the day that Djokovic would receive no special treatment. Djokovic’s mother Dijana described the situation as “scandalous”.