Djokovic was booted from The Australian Open over his anti-vaccine views in a controversial decision by Australia’s immigration minister.
It comes as the international tennis event commences at Melbourne Park… where he had hoped this year to win his 21st Grand Slam singles trophy
Every January for over a decade Novak has been greeted by fans at Melbourne Park for the Australian open, signing autographs and taking selfies, but this time its a change of scenery.
Djokovic was deported on Sunday after losing a ten-day battle over his right to remain.
Instead of defending his Australian Open title as the grand slam began here in Melbourne, he posed for selfies with fans at Dubai airport as he made the long journey back to Europe.
He may have been all smiles, but he refused any questions about his visa debacle after his plan landed just after 5.30 am local time.
Where to next for the world number one?
This whole saga has ended hopes of defending his Australian Open title and the chance to win a historic twenty first grand slam.
It doesn’t appear he will be back down under any time soon… authorities earlier confirmed that the unvaccinated tennis star will ban him from Australia for up to three years.
However, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison later provided a glimmer of hope for Novak
He said to Australian radio station 2GB: “(The ban) does go over a three-year period, but there is the opportunity for them to return in the right circumstances and that would be considered at the time”
The French Open will commence in late may, is he likely to play at that grand slam?
As he flew home from Australia, doubts rise over whether Novak would be able to play in the French Open.
A member of the French Parliament said a new law that will exclude unvaccinated people from sports venues, restaurants and other public places will apply anyone who wants to play in the tournament.
So essentially, no vaccine, no play.
The next tournament on his calendar is likely to be in Dubai at the end of next month, where he will need to provide negative PCR tests before being allowed in the country.
For now, a warm welcome awaits the world number one in his home city, where he continues to receive overwhelming support.
In pictures: Serbians rally outside Belgrade's international airport for Tennis world number one Novak Djokovic's arrival after his deportation from Australia over his coronavirus vaccination status pic.twitter.com/5o8mzq8koD
In Short:
– Trump gives Hamas three to four days to accept a U.S.-backed Gaza peace plan, warning of consequences.
– Hamas calls the plan biased and insists on a complete Israeli withdrawal before considering any agreement.
U.S. President Donald Trump has given Hamas three to four days to accept a U.S.-backed peace plan for Gaza, warning of severe consequences if they reject it.The plan, shared by mediators Qatar and Egypt, emerged after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu endorsed it during a visit to the White House. Hamas, which was not part of the talks, is expected to review the proposal that calls for disarmament, a previously rejected demand.
Trump stated that support for the plan came from both Israeli and Arab leaders, and he emphasised the need for Hamas to respond promptly. The proposal includes a ceasefire, hostage exchanges, an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and disarmament of Hamas, along with a transitional government.
A Hamas source described the plan as biased towards Israel and containing unacceptable conditions.
The group maintains that a complete Israeli withdrawal is a prerequisite for their agreement to any deal, while they are unwilling to disarm.
Pressure Mounts
Hamas faces significant pressure as foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE, Qatar, and Egypt have supported the initiative. Turkey’s intelligence head is also set to join discussions in Doha, marking a new level of mediation.
Despite expressing initial support, Netanyahu is cautious about the plan’s implications for Palestinian statehood and faces pressure from his coalition. Public sentiment in Gaza reflects a desire for peace, albeit with scepticism about the sincerity of both Trump and Netanyahu’s commitments.