Novak Djokovic has revealed he still feels a "slight bitterness" over his deportation from Australia in 2022, saying most people do not understand what actually happened. The 24-time Grand Slam champion was ordered to leave the country on the eve of the Australian Open after a 10-day ordeal that included time in a detention hotel.
In his new Prime Video documentary, Novak Djokovic: The Wolf in Winter, the 10-time Australian Open champion suggested that the public has the wrong idea about the incident. "I had a negative experience a few years back, and I still feel a slight bitterness that most of the people don't understand what happened. 99 per cent of people don't know what actually happened," Djokovic said.
Misunderstanding Over Vaccination Status
Djokovic explained that his deportation was not simply because he was unvaccinated. At the time, travellers entering Australia either needed the Covid vaccine or proof that they had contracted the virus in the previous six months. Djokovic had contracted Covid twice in that period, making him eligible to enter. "They think that I was deported from Australia because I was not vaccinated. That's not true," he said. "I was not vaccinated, but I had corona [virus] twice in those six months, so I was eligible."
Djokovic now believes his mistake was announcing his exemption on Instagram before travelling. His wife, Jelena, warned him against it. "I told my wife, I want to post that on my Instagram before I leave, and she said, 'There is no reason to post that,'" Djokovic recalled. "We were debating the night before. She said, 'Don't add that last sentence.' I said, 'I need to add this last sentence.' Another reason why you should listen to your wife's instinct."
Political Decision and Aftermath
Jelena Djokovic described the fallout from the post. "He really insisted on saying out loud that he wasn't vaccinated, which I just didn't agree with it," she said. "From the moment he posted on Instagram, the hell opened." Djokovic recounted arriving at Melbourne passport control, where officers took him to an immigration zone where he stayed from 11pm to 9am. His phone was confiscated, and he was unable to contact his wife.
Immigration Minister Alex Hawke used his powers to cancel Djokovic's visa, and the Serbian star was unsuccessful in appealing the decision. Djokovic said he understands why the government made an example of him, given Australia's strict lockdowns. "They didn't want someone of a profile like myself, who is known in that country, and everyone knowing that I'm not vaccinated, coming in their country, playing a tournament," he explained. "But, you know, it was not my fault." He added that two other people—a player and a coach—entered Australia with the same medical exemption. "It was all political, it had nothing to do medical," he said.
Djokovic's Stance on Vaccination
Djokovic also addressed why he never got vaccinated. "Because I didn't feel like I needed that. Why? Why should I get the vaccine? I'm healthy, I'm an athlete. I had corona [virus], I had protection, I'm not a threat to anybody," he said. "It's my freedom to choose, which that fundamental right that you have as a human being on this planet, freedom to choose, was taken away from a lot of people on this planet." He clarified that he does not identify with either side of the vaccine debate. "I never said I am against vaccine or pro-vaccine. Even the anti-vax claimed that I'm their hero… I've never associated myself with any anti-vax, pro-vax, anything. I am pro freedom to choose what you are going to do with the integrity of your body," he said.
