TENNIS star Novak Djokovic has finally broke his silence as the vaccine row continues while he remains holed up in a Covid quarantine hotel.
The anti-vax World No 1 thanked his supporters “around the world” who have backed his defiant stance amid the controversial decision to head Down Under.
He was granted a vaccine exemption to compete in the Australian Open before his visa was sensationally revoked following a six hour stand-off at Melbourne Airport and a major U-turn by Australian authorities.
He was then banished to a filthy hotel “full of fleas and maggots” in Melbourne to isolate.
In an Instagram post, he wrote: “Thank you to people around the world for your continuous support.
“I can feel it and it is greatly appreciated.”
The country’s Home Affairs minister Karen Andrews has now revealed the Serbian sportsman did not provide adequate reason for why he is unjabbed.
She told Channel Nine’s Today Show: “Anyone entering Australia has to meet the entry requirements which includes medical evidence of vaccination or alternately for medical reasons that individual cannot be vaccinated.
“So, specifically he [Djokovic] hasn’t met the medical reasons why he couldn’t be vaccinated.”
The 34-year-old had been granted an exemption to play despite his unvaccinated status – before it was dramatically cancelled.
As the athlete attempted to enter Aussie territory, he was ordered into a side-room by Border Force guards after a visa “blunder” was revealed.
The tennis player’s furious father Srdjan called on people to “take to the streets” to protest at his son’s blocked entry.
Djokovic, seeking to win a record 21st Grand Slam title, was stripped of his phone and kept alone in the room, with armed police on patrol outside.
Even Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic got involved, eventually contacting Djokovic to offer his support and backing and summoning Australia’s ambassador to the country for a dressing down.
More to follow…
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