Serbian President steps into the fray - calls Australia's decision to deport tennis great Djokovic as 'scandalous'
Top leaders of Serbia have severely criticized Australia's decision to deport World No. 1 men's tennis player Novak Djokovic for not being vaccinated against Covid-19. Djokovic was deported from Australia as a court rejected his plea on Sunday to stay in the country to play in the Australian Open after the government canceled his visa. The top player was detained by Australian immigration authorities on January 6 for not being vaccinated against Covid-19. A court-ordered his release on January 10 before he was detained again on Saturday with the Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke using discretionary powers to cancel his visa. The tennis star was chasing a record 21st Grand Slam triumph by defending his title at the Australian Open. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic questioned the entire process by the Australian authorities leading to Djokovic's deportation. Vucic said: "He came to Australia with a medical exemption proposal and then you were mistreating him