Novak Djokovic is not a captive and can return to Serbia at any time, Australian government insists
Australian Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews has said that Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic is free to depart Australia at any time after he was detained in a quarantine facility for not being vaccinated against Covid-19.
Djokovic – who arrived in Melbourne on Wednesday to compete at the Australian Open – had his visa canceled and was detained by officers after the country reversed on a vaccine exemption that the state of Victoria and Tennis Australia had granted him.
The tennis star has since been detained at a ‘quarantine hotel’ for refugees and his treatment has sparked condemnation from the Serbian government and hordes of his fans. Djokovic is appealing against the Australian government’s move and is scheduled to have a court hearing on Monday, just a week before the tournament is set to begin on January 17
In a statement on Friday, Andrews attempted to curb discontent and dismiss allegations that Djokovic was being “held captive” in Australia, claiming he was free to leave the country at any time.
