Novak Djokovic described his detention and deportation from Australia that prevented him from defending his Australian Open title as an "unlucky occasion" and thanked the Serbian president for his help.
An 11-day saga over Djokovic's entry visa ended with the Serb being deported for failing to satisfy Australia's strict COVID-19vaccination necessities.
The highest-ranked tennis star met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Thursday and described the occasions in Australia as "surprising, to say the least."
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"I wished to satisfy with you immediately as a result of, primarily as a citizen of Serbia, I felt a fantastic have to thanks for excellent help that you just, because the president of Serbia, gave me, in addition to all state establishments throughout the unlucky occasions in Australia," Djokovic stated.
"Though I used to be alone in detention, and confronted with many issues and challenges, I wasn't feeling lonely. I had large help primarily from my household, the entire shut folks in my life, total Serbian nation, many individuals with good intentions from the area and the world."
He didn't discuss particulars of the occasions in Australia, promising to provide his "model" later.
Djokovic's assembly with the more and more autocratic Vucic drew criticism from a few of his followers within the Balkan nation, the place he's usually thought-about an icon and a hero. The critics say Vucic used the occasion to spice up his reputation forward of normal elections scheduled for April.
The assembly occurred a day after Serbia's state prosecutors rejected options voiced by some Western media that Djokovic used a pretend constructive check for COVID-19 to attempt to enter Australia.
To enter Australia, Djokovic submitted a constructive check issued in Serbia on December 16 for a visa exemption on the grounds that he had just lately recovered from the virus.
He's not vaccinated, and the Australian authorities later determined to cancel his visa and deport Djokovic, saying his presence in Australia might stir anti-vaccination sentiments.
Djokovic's rival, Rafael Nadal, received the Australian Open for a file twenty first males's Grand Slam singles title. Djokovic and Roger Federer have 20 main titles.
Vucic praised Djokovic and stated he was sure he'll beat Nadal and Federer on the coming French Open and Wimbledon — the Grand Slams the place Djokovic might additionally face restrictions if he would not get vaccinated.