02:07Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic blasted the Australian government following the deportation of tennis player Novak Djokovic, on Sunday in Belgrade.
Vucic accused the Australian administration of humiliating and harassing Djokovic: "They think that they humiliated Djokovic with this 10-day harassment, but they humiliated themselves,” Vucic stated to reporters. “You are harassing the world's best tennis player for 10 or 11 days, so that on the 10th, 11th day you handed him a decision that you knew would be handed to him on the first day,’ the Serbian leader continued.
Vucic then accused Australia of mistreating the tennis star over upcoming elections and insisted that Australian athletes coming to Serbia would be treated differently.
"We will welcome Australian athletes in March in a different way, in an incomparably better way, we will not, because of the political elections, harass them and show strength over them or anything like that,” Vucic aded.
A unanimous federal court decision upheld Djokovic’s visa cancellation after the star entered the country without a vaccination, leading the player to be deported on Sunday. Djokovic's leaving comes on the eve of the Australian open, a tournament he has dominated over the past decade and was hoping to defend.
Djokovic's lawyers said he was exempt as he was recovering from contracting COVID in December, although during the alleged time frame, the star did not follow quarantine rules, and engaged in public events without a mask. The player is facing a fine or community service.
Serbia: President Vucic slams Australian govt handling of Djokovic case
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic blasted the Australian government following the deportation of tennis player Novak Djokovic, on Sunday in Belgrade.
Vucic accused the Australian administration of humiliating and harassing Djokovic: "They think that they humiliated Djokovic with this 10-day harassment, but they humiliated themselves,” Vucic stated to reporters. “You are harassing the world's best tennis player for 10 or 11 days, so that on the 10th, 11th day you handed him a decision that you knew would be handed to him on the first day,’ the Serbian leader continued.
Vucic then accused Australia of mistreating the tennis star over upcoming elections and insisted that Australian athletes coming to Serbia would be treated differently.
"We will welcome Australian athletes in March in a different way, in an incomparably better way, we will not, because of the political elections, harass them and show strength over them or anything like that,” Vucic aded.
A unanimous federal court decision upheld Djokovic’s visa cancellation after the star entered the country without a vaccination, leading the player to be deported on Sunday. Djokovic's leaving comes on the eve of the Australian open, a tournament he has dominated over the past decade and was hoping to defend.
Djokovic's lawyers said he was exempt as he was recovering from contracting COVID in December, although during the alleged time frame, the star did not follow quarantine rules, and engaged in public events without a mask. The player is facing a fine or community service.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic blasted the Australian government following the deportation of tennis player Novak Djokovic, on Sunday in Belgrade.
Vucic accused the Australian administration of humiliating and harassing Djokovic: "They think that they humiliated Djokovic with this 10-day harassment, but they humiliated themselves,” Vucic stated to reporters. “You are harassing the world's best tennis player for 10 or 11 days, so that on the 10th, 11th day you handed him a decision that you knew would be handed to him on the first day,’ the Serbian leader continued.
Vucic then accused Australia of mistreating the tennis star over upcoming elections and insisted that Australian athletes coming to Serbia would be treated differently.
"We will welcome Australian athletes in March in a different way, in an incomparably better way, we will not, because of the political elections, harass them and show strength over them or anything like that,” Vucic aded.
A unanimous federal court decision upheld Djokovic’s visa cancellation after the star entered the country without a vaccination, leading the player to be deported on Sunday. Djokovic's leaving comes on the eve of the Australian open, a tournament he has dominated over the past decade and was hoping to defend.
Djokovic's lawyers said he was exempt as he was recovering from contracting COVID in December, although during the alleged time frame, the star did not follow quarantine rules, and engaged in public events without a mask. The player is facing a fine or community service.