‘We await the champion’: how Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open trip went from elation to detention

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Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open journey began in consolation, and pleasure.

A photograph confirmed the tennis star with an enormous grin on his face, baggage packed, as he boarded his Emirates flight from Dubai.

“Let’s go 2022!” he posted to Instagram.

However it ended with him trapped in an immigration resort notorious for detaining refugees, caught in the course of a diplomatic stoush between Serbia and Australia and a struggle over his deportation enjoying out within the federal court docket.

The information that the world No 1, who refuses to disclose his vaccine standing, was en path to Australia enraged many.

Melbourne was one of the vital locked down cities on the earth, and the Covid vaccine is remitted within the majority of its workplaces.

Many residents questioned why Tennis Australia and the Victorian authorities have been permitting an unvaccinated sports activities star to play.

However after touching down in Melbourne about 11.30pm native time, Djokovic by no means made it by way of arrivals.

Australian Border Drive officers stopped him after it emerged that his group had utilized for a visa that doesn't permit medical exemptions.

In a press release, the ABF confirmed Djokovic didn't meet the entry necessities and his visa was cancelled.

“Non-citizens who don't maintain a sound visa on entry or who've had their visa cancelled will probably be detained and faraway from Australia,” the assertion mentioned.

As Djokovic waited alone in an airport room, the arrivals lounge stuffed up with media and a small variety of followers. One stood in the course of the arrival gate, waving a Serbian flag.

Demonstrators outside the hotel where Djokovic was being held
Demonstrators exterior the resort the place Djokovic was being held. Photograph: James Ross/EPA

Slobodan Bendjo and Krstomir Dusanovic had been ready at Melbourne airport since midnight, able to welcome the tennis star.

Armed with an accordion and a Serbian flag, the pair have been strolling across the airport enjoying music.

“We're right here to await the champion,” Dusanovic mentioned.

They weren't deterred by the very fact the tennis star was being instructed to depart Australia, they mentioned.

“We’ve nonetheless right here to welcome him,” Bendjo mentioned. “He’s simply right here someplace behind these partitions – he’s not distant from us.

“We all the time, when he comes right here, welcome him with music. It’s a standard factor you do. We expect it’s essential we proceed with the custom.”

A younger fan, Andrew Mitrovic wandered in along with his mum. He held a makeshift signal that mentioned “free Nole”.

They'd introduced tickets to see Djokovic play and have been devastated he hadn’t been allowed in.

About 10am, he was moved to the Park resort in Carlton, an notorious immigration detention resort.

It homes 36 refugees – a few of whom have been detained for 9 years.

The home windows within the resort can’t be opened – they've been sealed shut and there was not too long ago a Covid outbreak among the many detainees.

An uncommon crew of Djokovic supporters, refugee advocates and anti-vaxxers gathered exterior the resort.

Husband and spouse Ziggy and Billy Misovic got here down to indicate their help for the tennis star.

Waving a flag from Djokovic’s house city, Belgrade, they yelled “free Novak”.

“We got here to help the primary,” Billy mentioned. “It’s ridiculous, he’s received an exemption, why not let him in?”

Requested about his vaccination standing, Ziggy mentioned: “It’s a personal matter. Do I ask if in case you have Aids? It’s non-public.”

Billy mentioned they understood the frustration of Victorians however that Djokovic had been “humiliated”.

“My father handed away two years in the past. He was in Serbia. The borders have been closed, I perceive [the frustration],” she mentioned.

Refugee Advocate Jenny Leah mentioned she got here daily to indicate her help and had by no means seen this many members of the media.

“There are dozens of media right here immediately, we're right here daily – we get lots of help from passing motorists, tram drivers, however by no means any media,” she mentioned.

“To us, it says one thing in regards to the priorities of the media, and public.”

The refugees will not be allowed on the roof for recent air and have not too long ago reported discovering maggots and mildew of their meals.

A few of them have not too long ago been launched on bridging visas however the way forward for these left inside is unknown.

Leah mentioned Djokovic would obtain very totally different remedy: “He’ll get to depart.”

Because the afternoon wore on, a gradual stream of Djokovic’s supporters from Australia’s Serbian neighborhood got here out to indicate their solidarity. They performed Serbian music, danced and one zoomed round on a scooter yelling.

Sandra Milisic, draped in a Serbian flag, mentioned Djokovic deserved “respect”.

“If this was a difficulty to start with, they need to have knocked him again beforehand. He deserves the respect, contemplating he has given help to Australia throughout the bushfires,” she mentioned.

Throughout a lull in festivities from Djokovic supporters, refugee advocates climbed on high of the roof and, with big banners, chanted “free the refugees”.

A refugee within the window above them holds up 9 fingers, for the variety of years he has been detained.

One Djokovic supporter lower by way of the gang to say: “I really feel so ignorant. I got here right here for him, and discover out they’ve been locked up for 9 years. It’s so improper.”

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