Novak Djokovic has claimed he did nothing incorrect to deserve his deportation from the 2022 Australian Open, claiming he was “simply following the principles”.
After he was deported final 12 months, the Serbian star is the favorite to win the Australian Open which might be a document extending tenth title at Melbourne Park.
However whereas he’s admitted he’s making an attempt to maneuver on from the drama final season, he claimed folks nonetheless had a incorrect thought of what occurred within the saga.
So far as the world is aware of, Djokovic continues to be unvaccinated for Covid-19 and has been robust in his opposition to the jab.
However when he tried to enter Australia hours after touting an “exemption permission” on Instagram, Djokovic’s visa was cancelled.
Then Prime Minister Scott Morrison revealed Djokovic by no means had an exemption within the first place which was the start of the lengthy ordeal.
Djokovic gained a courtroom case which overturned his visa cancellation however then Immigration Minister Alex Hawke cancelled his visa “on well being and good order grounds”.
The Serbian then claimed he was singled out after others had been in a position to enter the nation.
“(There have been) two or three extra people who got here into Australia 10 days earlier than I did with precisely the identical exemption that I had,” Djokovic stated in an interview on Channel 9.
“I used to be simply following the principles. My exemption was verified by an impartial physique and panel of docs.
“I got here in with all of the legitimate papers. All the pieces obtained out of hand after which I used to be labelled this or that.
“Swiftly, I grew to become the villain of the world which was clearly a horrible place to be in as an athlete and somebody who’s seeking to thrive in its personal route of life and occupation.
“And it (the saga) was so massive within the media that I couldn’t combat that, and I didn’t wish to get into that.
“(With) the quantity of stress and craziness going round, I simply wished to exit and return dwelling.”
Czech doubles participant Renata Voracova participated in an occasion after arriving in Australia however was deported after her visa was cancelled over her vaccination standing.
One other individual was reported to be an official related with the match, who was additionally deported.
Djokovic stated he didn’t maintain any grudges towards the Australian folks and that he stayed out of the highlight when he arrived dwelling.
“(There was) a not nice narrative within the media about me in any respect, and I simply stayed for a number of weeks at dwelling,” he stated.
“I didn’t actually go round an excessive amount of, I simply hoped that the state of affairs might relax, which it did.
“However the traces keep there. The traces adopted for a number of months after.”
Djokovic had a largely heat reception on the Adelaide Worldwide with Daniil Medvedev mocking his hamstring damage seemingly the largest backlash he confronted from packed stadiums.
Nevertheless Australian Open boss Craig Tiley has warned rowdy followers they’ll be kicked out in the event that they make Djokovic a goal.
Djokovic’s hamstring damage could also be worse than first thought as nicely, as he obtained remedy throughout a follow match towards Medvedev.
