Svjetlana Kovacevic of the Serbian-Australian Chamber of Commerce, who has been in contact with tennis star Novak Djokovic’s team, said he is “a bit depressed but feels good” ahead of his court date this morning. .
“That he is trapped in a detention center in a small room, just for him on Serbian Orthodox Christmas Day (Jan 7), without a priest visiting him when he normally goes to church, that is a bit annoying for him, ” she said.
He said that Djokovic loved Australia and called it a “second home”.
Ms Kovacevic did not confirm reports that Djokovic had suffered from fleas in his bed or worms in his food, but said the conditions were “very restrictive” and said he needed to make special requests for food, medicine and “basic necessities”.
He said the world’s number one male did not know who to blame for the situation.
“The fact is, you wouldn’t be on that plane if you didn’t have your Australian government-authorized papers,” he said.
“His visa was approved by two independent Australian panels made up of medical experts. So all that he knows, he has done everything according to the rules and went through the whole process to be able to come and play in the Open.”
“Novak acted in good faith and believed he had all the right paperwork to compete on the right paperwork to compete at the Open. He has turned into a mess.”
She said that “all of Serbia” was behind the tennis star.
And despite the current situation, he said it was unlikely that Djokovic would say goodbye to Australia for good.
“He regularly, since 2003, has been visiting Australia with his whole family. They used to stay four to six weeks visiting other cities and playing in other cities as well,” he said.
“It’s hard to believe that he wouldn’t come here to play again so I’m pretty sure whatever the court decision today we will see him back in Australia.”