Two of Novak Djokovic‘s countrymen at the Australian Open have shredded the federal government’s decision to deport the world No.1, dislodging him from the Melbourne Park event.
As Serbian Laslo Djere slammed the situation as “catastrophic” after his opening-round match, fellow native Dusan Lajovic branded it “terribly wrong”.
Other players, including four-time singles major champion Naomi Osaka and former world No.6 Gael Monfils, quashed talk of Djokovic in their press conferences.
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“To tell you the truth, I think not just Serbians, I think the whole world saw it and they probably will have a new or different opinion about Australia,” Djere said.
“I mean, the guy had the exemption and they still deported him.
“He’s not vaccinated, but we were told that we can enter the country with an exemption, which he had, and yet he’s not here with us.
“Something went horribly wrong … It was a true catastrophic situation. I don’t know what else to say.”
Lajovic expressed his disdain for the federal government and revealed his wish for Djokovic to become the greatest tennis player in history.
Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are equal on a record 20 Grand Slam singles titles, but Nadal has a chance to become the outright leader in Melbourne.
“Well, I know that everything that happened was far from what anyone could imagine, and I would just say this once: I think the way they treated him was terribly wrong,” Lajovic said.
“I think the decision itself was terribly wrong, and also the reason why they did it is also for me terribly wrong, because (it was) based (on) just an idea. I don’t think it’s the right way.
“I hope that in the future he will be the best tennis player in history and that this will be only looked at as a setback on his path to be the best tennis player to ever play the sport. This is my opinion, and I don’t think there is more to add to it.”
Osaka was asked if Djokovic should be playing in the Australian Open and the Japanese champion fired back a stern reply.
“Is my opinion going to help anything?” Osaka said.
“Asking what other players think of the situation,” the reporter replied.
“Yeah, I’ll kind of pass on that,” Osaka said.
“Thanks, though.”
And Monfils showed little to no interest in weighing in on the Djokovic drama.
“To be honest, I just think about the tournament now.”
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