Hundreds tennis fans gathered at Belgrade’s Nicola Tesla airport on Monday to welcome Novak Djokovic back to Serbia after his deportation from Australia.
The world No. 1 came home after failing to defend his Australian Open title after a protracted legal dispute over his visa and immunization status, which resulted in his eviction from the country.
After the Federal Court affirmed the government’s decision to revoke Djokovic’s visa, he boarded an Emirates jet to Dubai late on Sunday, putting an end to days of drama over the country’s Covid-19 entrance requirements and his unvaccinated status.
The Serbian actor was originally held by immigration officials on January 6, was freed by a court on January 10, and was then imprisoned again on Saturday until a court appearance on Sunday.
Djokovic stated he was saddened by the ruling but accepted the court’s decision in the end.
“I am uncomfortable that the focus of the past weeks has been on me and I hope that we can all now focus on the game and the tournament I love,” Djokovic said in a statement before flying out of Melbourne. He landed in Belgrade after a brief stopover in Dubai.
The 34-year-old received widespread support in his home country, with the Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic calling the treatment of a national hero “scandalous”.
As he landed in Serbia, supporters – some waving national flags – outside Belgrade airport chanted “You are our champion, Novak!”
The tennis star’s departure from Australia, however, may not be the end of the drama, as doubts have been raised over whether he will be prevented from competing in the next Grand Slam tournament, the French Open.
Djokovic claimed in an Australian court that he should be allowed to stay and compete because he was exempt from tight vaccination regulations due to a recent coronavirus illness. However, Australian officials invoked the public interest in withdrawing his visa, claiming that his presence may inflame anti-vaccine attitudes and that expelling him was vital to protect Australians.
Now there is uncertainty over his participation in Paris. A member of the French Parliament said a new law that will exclude unvaccinated people from sports venues, restaurants and other public places will apply to anyone who wants to play in the tournament.