(CNN)Novak Djokovic has returned to Serbia’s capital Belgrade after his deportation from Australia ended the world’s No. 1 tennis player’s hopes of playing at the Australian Open.
Djokovic traveled to Belgrade from Melbourne via Dubai after losing a court challenge on Sunday against the Australian government’s decision to cancel his visa on public health and order grounds.
Crowds gathered at the airport on Monday to welcome the 34-year-old Serb home – chanting his name and holding banners and flags in support. The night before, a building in Belgrade was covered with the words “Nole [Djokovic’s nickname]you are the pride of Serbia.”
The Serbian Olympic Committee said it was “very disappointed” by Australia’s “scandalous decision” to deport Djokovic, adding that a “great injustice” had been done, while Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said the visa cancellation was ” scandalous”.
“I’m disappointed and I think it showed how the rule of law works in some other countries, that is, how it doesn’t work,” Brnabic said in an interview with Beta news agency in Belgrade.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Djokovic in his own country, in Serbia, and getting through this together with him and supporting him during this difficult time for him,” she added.
Under Australian law, Djokovic can be banned from the country for three years, although Home Secretary Karen Andrews does not rule out an exception. “Every application is checked for its merits,” she said.
The Australian Open is the first Grand Slam of the tennis season. The second is the French Open in Roland Garros, which takes place between May 22nd and June 5th.
But all professional athletes who want to compete in France must be vaccinated against Covid-19, the French sport ministry told CNN on Monday.
France’s vaccination card law, approved by parliament on Sunday, requires people to have a vaccination certificate to enter public places such as restaurants, cafes, cinemas and sports arenas, among others.
“The rule is simple. After the law came into force, the vaccination card will be required in institutions that were already subject to the health card (sports or culture). This applies to everyone (spectators, professional athletes),” a French sports ministry spokeswoman told CNN.
This new legislation jeopardizes the chances of Djokovic, who has not been vaccinated against Covid-19, to compete in the French Open.
The French Open allowed previously unvaccinated players to compete because they were operating in a blister during the tournament.
He will also have to comply with Spanish health regulations to compete in the upcoming Madrid Open, which starts at the end of April, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Monday.
Sanchez praised Australia’s decision to deport Djokovic, saying he had “total respect for the Australian Government’s decision”.
Spain currently requires visitors to show proof of full vaccination, a recent negative Covid test within 72 hours of arrival or a certificate of recovery from Covid-19, according to the Health Ministry.
International sporting events in the country could add additional rules for participants, such as B. daily Covid-19 tests during the tournament, a senior government official told CNN on Monday.
Djokovic is the reigning champion in men’s singles on the clay courts of Roland Garros. Along with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, he has won 20 Grand Slam titles.
“As for Roland Garros, it is in May. The situation may change by then and it is hoped that it will be more favorable. So we’ll see, but now it’s clearly no different [from the rules]’ added the spokeswoman.
Al Goodman, Joseph Ataman, Aleks Klosok, Sharon Braithewaite, Biljana Brise, and Stephanie Halasz contributed to this report
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