Novak Djokovic's family and fans have railed against the superstar's detention in Australia, which left the world No 1 spending Orthodox Christmas Day on Friday in a Melbourne hotel.
In a series of fiery remarks, his father Srdjan Djokovic told a crowd in Belgrade that his son was the victim of a "political witch hunt" and "corona fascism" and should be freed.
Fans chanted "free Novak" outside Melbourne's Park Hotel which now serves as an immigration detention centre. Draped in flags and defying the rain, protesters played nationalistic Serbian songs. Some held anti-vaccine placards, while others rallied in support of refugees.
The vaccine-sceptic tennis ace was detained on arrival in Australia earlier this week - his visa was revoked by Australia's Border Force for failing to meet pandemic entry restrictions.
Foreigners are still mostly banned from travelling to Australia and those granted permission to enter must prove they are fully vaccinated or have a doctor's medical exemption.
Australian authorities said Djokovic - who has declared himself against vaccines and claimed to have a medical exemption - provided evidence of neither and was detained, pending deportation.
Djokovic "met all the required conditions for the entry and participation at the tournament that he would have certainly won," his father insisted.
"Jesus was crucified and endured many things but is still alive among us," he said on Orthodox Christmas Eve. "Novak is also crucified ... the best sportsman and man in the world. He will endure."
His mother Djina Djokovic told television reporters at the rally: "They are keeping him as a prisoner. It is just not fair. It is not human. So I just hope that he will be strong as we are trying also to be very strong."
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Supporters gather outside Park Hotel in Melbourne where Novak Djokovic was taken pending his removal from the country after his visa was cancelled by the Australian Border Force on January 06, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. Getty Images -
Anti-vaccination protesters gather outside the Park Hotel in Melbourne. Getty Images -
Supporters holding Serbia flags gather outside Park Hotel where Novak Djokovic was taken pending his removal from the country. Getty Images -
A tennis fan holds a sign outside the Park Hotel in Carlton, Melbourne on January 06, 2022, calling for Novak Djokovic to be released from quarantine. Getty Images -
Supporters gather outside Park Hotel calling for Novak Djokovic to be released after the world No 1 was denied entry to Australia as border authorities cancelled his visa. Getty Images -
Supporters gather outside Park Hotel in Melbourne. Getty Images -
A supporter of Novak Djokovic wears a Serbia flag as she waits outside Park Hotel where Djokovic was taken pending his removal from the country after his visa was cancelled by the Australian Border Force. Getty Images -
A supporter of Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic holds a sign outside the Park Hotel. Reuters -
Supporter Slobodan Bendjo holds a Serbian flag as he waits for the latest news about Novak Djokovic being held by the Australian Border Force due to a visa issue at Melbourne Airport on January 05, 2022. Getty Images -
Media and members of the local Serbian community wait outside a hotel where Serbia's tennis champion Novak Djokovic is being held after Australia said it had cancelled his entry visa, opening the way to his detention and deportation in a dramatic reversal for the tennis world No 1. AFP -
Members of the local Serbian community outside a hotel where Novak Djokovic is reported to be staying in Melbourne. AFP -
A protestor holds signs outside Park Hotel, where Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic is believed to be living, in Melbourne. AFP
Djokovic landed at Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport on Wednesday hoping to defend his Australian Open crown and become the first man to win 21 Grand Slam titles.
Although Djokovic won a legal reprieve from deportation until at least Monday, when his case will be heard in court, it is far from clear that he will play in the January 17-30 tournament.
Judge Anthony Kelly warned the star's lawyers in a hearing Thursday that justice would move at its own pace through all necessary appeals. "The tail won't be wagging the dog here," he said.
Two other players or staff attending the Australian Open are also now being investigated, Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews confirmed Friday.
She also denied allegations that Djokovic was being held against his will.
"Mr Djokovic is not being held captive in Australia. He is free to leave at any time that he chooses to do so and Border Force will actually facilitate that," she said.
Australian authorities have repeatedly refused to confirm where they are holding the Serbian star, but he is believed to have spent the night at what is officially known as the Melbourne "Alternative Place of Detention".
The facility, once a hotel, is home to around 32 refugees and asylum seekers who have been trapped for years in Australia's hardline immigration system.
Detainees cannot leave the hotel and nobody is allowed in or out except staff.
The facility gained notoriety last year when a fire in the building forced refugees and asylum seekers to be evacuated, and maggots were allegedly found in the food.
As word of Djokovic's arrival spread, Serbian flag-festooned supporters, anti-vaccine campaigners, refugee advocates and police descended on the already controversial facility.
Detainee Mehdi Ali told AFP that Djokovic is his favourite tennis player, and that he was saddened by the prospect of the star being held there.
"The media will talk about us more, the whole world probably, which is so sad, just because Djokovic would be here for a few days," he said.
Djokovic's detention has sparked international scrutiny and a serious diplomatic incident, with the Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic demanding that Djokovic be moved from immigration detention to a home where he can train for the Australian Open.
"Djokovic is not a criminal, terrorist or illegal migrant, but was treated that way by the Australian authorities which causes an understandable indignation of his fans and citizens of Serbia," a Serbia foreign ministry statement said.
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2008: Novak Djokovic beats Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 4–6, 6–4, 6–3, 7–6 to win the Australian Open. -
2011: Djokovic beats Andy Murray 6–4, 6–2, 6–3 to win the Australian Open . -
2011: Novak Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal 6–4, 6–1, 1–6, 6–3 to win Wimbledon. -
2011: Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal 6–2, 6–4, 6–7, 6–1 to win the US Open. -
2012: Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal 5–7, 6–4, 6–2, 6–7, 7–5 to win the Australian Open. -
2013: Djokovic beats Andy Murray 6–7, 7–6, 6–3, 6–2 to win the Australian Open. -
2014: Djokovic triumphs 6–7, 6–4, 7–6, 5–7, 6–4 against Roger Federer for the Wimbledon title. -
2015: Djokovic beats Andy Murray 7–6, 6–7, 6–3, 6–0 for victory at the Australian Open. -
2015: Djokovic beats Roger Federer 7-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 to win Wimbledon. -
2015: Djokovic beats Roger Federer 6–4, 5–7, 6–4, 6–4 to win the US Open. -
2016: Djokovic beats Andy Murray 6-1, 7-5, 7-6 to win the Australian Open. -
2016: Djokovic beats Andy Murray 3–6, 6–1, 6–2, 6–4 for the French Open. -
2018: Djokovic crushes Kevin Anderson 6–2, 6–2, 7–6 to win Wimbledon. -
2018: Djokovic beats Juan Martin del Potro 6–3, 7–6, 6–3 for his third US Open. -
2019: Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 for victory at the Australian Open. -
2019: Djokovic beats Roger Federer 7-6, 1-6, 7-6, 4-6, 13-12 to win Wimbledon. -
2020: Djokovic triumphs 6–4, 4–6, 2–6, 6–3, 6–4 against Dominic Thiem for the Australian Open. -
2021: Djokovic celebrates a 7–5, 6–2, 6–2 victory against Daniil Medvedev to win his ninth Australian Open. -
2021: Djokovic beats Stefanos Tsitsipas 6–7, 2–6, 6–3, 6–2, 6–4 for his second French Open. -
2021: Djokovic beats Matteo Berrettini 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 to win Wimbledon for the sixth time.
The country's president, prime minister and foreign minister have all issued a series of nationalist-tinged remarks brimming with anger at the treatment of a national hero.
Many Australians, angry at seeing 70,000-plus new Covid cases a day after two mostly Covid-free years, see the Djokovic case as a diversion.
"This is happening while we've got a major crisis going on in terms of Omicron, and it's been convenient from the government's point of view" Australian Medical Association vice president Chris Moy told AFP Friday.
John Findley, an Australian immigration lawyer, said both the state and Djokovic would have to answer some tough questions in court.
"If they see [Djokovic] has provided false information, he must have a chance to answer that," Findley said.
That charge, if proven, could bring a three-year ban from applying for another Australian visa.
