Unvaccinated tennis star Novak Djokovic is considering serving Australia’s government with a lawsuit after he was deported in the interest of public health ahead of the Australian Open.
Djokovic, 34, was consulting his legal team about suing the country for $4.4 million, a fee that includes the $2.75 million prize that the world’s top tennis player was expected to win, according to The Sun.
State and tennis officials had granted Djokovic a medical exemption to Australia’s strict COVID-19 vaccination policy because he had recently been infected with the virus, but immigration officials canceled the exemption and revoked his visa when he arrived in Melbourne on Jan. 6, citing public health risks and fears of riling up Aussies opposed to the mandate.
On Sunday a federal court stood behind the border officials and deported the 20-time Grand Slam winner back to his native Serbia before the tournament began Monday, after an 11-day saga that saw him detained in an immigration detention hotel for five days.
“It’s well known that Novak and his family feel he was poorly treated in the quarantine hotel in Melbourne,” a source close to his agent Edoardo Artladi told the British tabloid. “His mother revealed how it was full of fleas and maggots. He was kept a virtual prisoner.”
“He was subjected to humiliating treatment. He should sue,” Serbian lawyer and politician Toma Fila reportedly added about the alleged double fault.
The tennis ace may now miss another chance to notch a record-setting 21st Grand Slam title at May’s French Open, as officials announced there would be no exceptions to policies that require all people in public places to be vaccinated.
“I respect the Court’s ruling and I will cooperate with the relevant authorities in relation to my departure from the country,” Djokovic said on Sunday, adding he was “extremely disappointed” he would not be able to defend his title in Melbourne Park.
The Federal Court of Australia was expected to release information about its decision on Thursday, the court said.
“We recognise [sic] that recent events have been a significant distraction for everyone, and we deeply regret the impact this had on all players,” the board of Tennis Australia said in a statement Tuesday, without naming the controversial star.
With Post wires