- Title: 'I would never go to Australia again' - Relieved Serbians welcome Djokovic home
- Date: 18th January 2022
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) SPORTS JOURNALIST FOR SPORT KLUB CHANNEL, SASA OZMO, SAYING: "I think he will use these two weeks to decompress, to reflect on some things. He stated very clearly that he won't be speaking again publicly until the Australian Open is over. After that I expect him (to give) some sort of statement or a press conference or an interview, something like tha
- Embargoed: 1st February 2022 10:29
- Keywords: Australian Open Belgrade Novak Djokovic Serbia
- Location: BELGRADE, SERBIA
- City: BELGRADE, SERBIA
- Country: Serbia
- Topics: Europe,Sport,Tennis
- Reuters ID: LVA001FURINUV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Serbians were upset with Australia's treatment of Novak Djokovic on Tuesday (January 18) a day after he returned to Belgrade.
The world's top-rated men's tennis player returned in his native Serbia where he received a rapturous welcome on Monday (January 17).
Djokovic, unvaccinated, was deported from Australia on Sunday (January 16) after a two-week-long legal battle with authorities over his vaccination status.
"He will be able to, why not, play in Australia again. But as a matter of principle, I would never go to Australia ever again," said Belgrade resident Emilija Jankovic.
Sports journalist Saza Ozmo said he expects Djokovic to use the next days to decompress as "he won't be speaking again publicly until the Australian Open is over."
Ozmo added Djokovic will face a tough choice in the upcoming weeks, either get vaccinated or sit out of tournaments held in countries where vaccine mandates are implemented.
Belgrade residents were happy to have their hero back home.
"He is welcome here. He got himself burned there, I hope he will learn something from this," said Momcilo Mrkic.
Though given a visa to fly to Australia and play at the Grand Slam, the Serbian defending champion had it cancelled on arrival and was put in detention by government officials.
Djokovic was freed after winning a court case but was detained again after Australia's immigration minister canceled his visa for a second time, and then lost a court case to review the minister's decision.
He risks being frozen out of tennis as he chases a record 21st Grand Slam title, with rules on travellers who are unvaccinated against COVID-19 tightening and some tournaments reconsidering exemptions.
(Production Hedy Beloucif, Branko Filipovic) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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