Anthony Albanese says Australia’s treatment of Novak Djokovic during vaccination saga ‘hard to justify’ after the Serb opens up about ‘trauma’
World No.7 Novak Djokovic said he had experienced trauma when he landed in Australia in 2023 and 2024 because of the deportation saga.
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Anthony Albanese, Novak Djokovic (Images via X)
Novak Djokovic recently opened up about the vaccination saga and revealed how, when he landed in Australia in 2023 and 2024, he had experienced ‘trauma’. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, when asked about the Serb’s remarks, slammed the previous government.
Djokovic was under medical exemption as he had COVID-19 and was held in a detention center for five days after he landed in Australia in 2022. Because of his unvaccinated status, he was eventually deported from the country and this sparked a huge controversy.
Albanese, who became prime minister in May 2022, slammed the previous government for their treatment of the 24-time Grand Slam champion and for not allowing the tennis legend to meet the Orthodox minister.
I made comments at the time about it. I found it astonishing that in the lead-up to Christmas, Novak Djokovic was denied by the then federal government the opportunity to see his Orthodox minister, priest, during that period.
Anthony Albanese told reporters on Monday
Even the dean of the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church in Melbourne said he was denied to pay a pastoral visit.
Novak Djokovic doesn’t hold a grudge against the Australian government
Though Novak Djokovic was denied a chance to add his 10th Australian Open to his trophy cabinet in 2022, when the strict Covid rules were lifted, he came back the following year and clinched his 22nd Major. He doesn’t hold a grudge against the Australian government over what happened.
I don’t hold a grudge. I came right away the year after and I won. My parents and the whole team were there and it was actually one of the most emotional wins I’ve ever had, considering all that I’d been through the year before.
Novak Djokovic told Herald Sun
The title at the 2023 Australian Open was one of the three Majors he lifted that year as he also emerged victorious at the French Open and US Open. He had also reached the Wimbledon final but suffered a five-set defeat to Carlos Alcaraz. In 2024 however, the 37-year-old ended his campaign in Melbourne following his semifinal defeat to Jannik Sinner.
This season, Djokovic, under coach Andy Murray, will be chasing his record-extending 11th Australian Open. The World No.7, who was trophyless last year, was confident about challenging the youngsters in 2025 but in the ATP 250 Brisbane International, Reilly Opelka defeated him in straight sets in the quarterfinals.
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Gouri Das
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