Novak Djokovic says he will tell his “version of the story” after being deported from Australia last month.
The tennis star, who was sent packing ahead of the Australian Open due to his unvaccinated status, on Thursday sat down with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and spoke publicly for the first time about the drama.
Watch Novak speak for the first time in the video above
The world No.1 thanked the president and fans for their support “during the unfortunate events in Australia” ahead of the grand slam.
“Although I was alone in detention in Australia and faced many problems and challenges, I did not feel lonely,” he said.
“I had huge support primarily from my family, all of the close people in my life, entire Serbian nation, many people with good intentions from the region and the world.”
Djokovic urged fans to “be patient” and said that he would make an address to the media in the coming days.
“I haven’t spoken in public in regards to the events that happened in Australia, and this is the first time that I have come out in public,” he said.
The nine-time Australian Open winner was unable to defend his title following an 11-day drama, which saw his visa revoked twice as he did not meet Australia’s COVID-19 entry requirements.
He had travelled Down Under after being told by Tennis Australia he could play the tournament on a medical exemption.
Mr Vucic thanked Djokovic for his “great fight.”
The meeting comes a day after Djokovic’s biographer sensationally claimed the Serb would get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Author Daniel Muksch, who has penned A Lifetime At War, a book chronicling the life of the 20-time grand slam champion that comes out later this year, said watching Rafael Nadal become the most successful men’s player of all time by winning the Australian Open prompted the backflip.
“From what I have heard from those around him, I think he is getting vaccinated,” Muksch reportedly told Austrian TV station Servus TV.
“Maybe the final in Melbourne also contributed to that.
“Rafael Nadal’s 21 is driving him, no question.”
Watch Health Minister Greg Hunt react to Novak’s backflip below
Australia’s Health Minister Greg Hunt told Sunrise he was “delighted” to hear Djokovic might get the jab.
“Look, I’m happy for anybody anywhere to be vaccinated and if in some small way as a country we have encouraged Novak or any other individual to do that then that’s great,” he said.
“But you know what’s much more important? I think that will encourage more people who have been hesitant to be vaccinated and that would be the real win out of this.
“I hadn’t heard that. I’m delighted if that is the case.
“But to everybody, doesn’t matter where you are, whether you are overseas or in Australia, first dose, second dose, booster, everything you are eligible for, it will help protect you. Please come forward.”
What has Djokovic said about vaccination?
Djokovic admitted in court documents when appealing the federal government’s deportation decision that he was not vaccinated.
However, he has not revealed the exact reasons why.
In April 2020, he said that he was “opposed to vaccination”.
He later clarified his position by adding that he was “no expert” and would keep an “open mind” but wanted to have “an option to choose what’s best for my body.”
During a Facebook live, he explained that he “wouldn’t want to be forced by someone to take a vaccine” to travel or compete in tournaments.
He added that he was “curious about wellbeing and how we can empower our metabolism to be in the best shape to defend against imposters like COVID-19”.
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