"I was basically declared as a villain of the world": Novak Djokovic recalls firestorm surrounding Australian Open deportation
ATPTuesday, 12 December 2023 at 11:27
Novak Djokovic said he felt like 'a villain of the world' when he was deported during the 2022 Australian Open for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccination.
Djokovic during his 60 Minutes interview with Jon Wertheim said he is pro choice and not anti-vax. But was seen as thus when he attempted to get an exemption to play in the tournament which went right to the wire.
From initial exemption to hotel hell and deportation
Having to stay in a hotel full of cockroaches used to house refugees and those self-isolating, Djokovic was then deported and couldn't play the tournament. This in turn came with a ban from the country.
This should've lasted a number of years and put his chances of ever returning to Australia in potential jeopardy. But the new administration in the country rescinded it and he won this year's tournament. He opened up about the experience during his interview with Wertheim.
"I was basically declared as a villain of the world," said Djokovic. "I had basically most of the world against me. I had that kind of experience on the tennis court with crowds, in that they were maybe not cheering me on. But I never had this particular experience before in my life."
Djokovic also denied misleading the Australian people who at the time were heavily for vaccination and locking down seemingly. He said that he got permission so it wasn't up to him to read the room in that regard.
"It wasn't my position to read anybody. I got the exemption, I got the permission to come into the country. Of course it escalated to the highest of highest levels globally."
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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