Novak Djokovic: 'I was humiliated on a world stage by Australian government'

Novak Djokovic has accused the Australian government of 'humiliating him on a world stage' whilst allowing others the exemptions he was denied.

Djokovic was deported from Australia due due to the government believing his anti-vaccination stance a danger to the public.

He argues, though, that other people were allowed into Australia on the same medical exemption, and he was only punished because of his high profile.

"I was painted in a really ugly manner," he told Sport Klub. "I was humiliated, if I may say so, on a world stage," he told the Serbian network

"That is why it is important for me to have the opportunity to say something.

"I will repeat what I said to the BBC, because I don't have more to add.

"I've done everything that was asked of me. There is a belief that I was privileged in a way, that I (got the exemption) because of my stature.

"I will keep saying it and repeat it like a parrot, although the BBC has cut that part of the interview: 10 days before me, a Czech tennis player and Croatian coach entered Australia with the same medical exemption.

"She played a tournament, he coached his player no problem at all.

"Suddenly I come and there is a problem. Why? You tell me. I can't erase from my memory what happened, it is still fresh.

"There were things that shook me that I can't forget, let alone something like this.

"What I can do is accept it and move on. You will never see me running away from responsibility or not wanting to answer a certain question. I am not hiding anything."

Djokovic also took the opportunity to reiterate his determined stance against getting vaccinated against Covid-19, and it doesn't look like it's going to change any time soon.

"The truth is the truth and my position is my position," he said.

"I know that people will continue to criticise me because I decided to not get vaccinated and because I have attitude that are incomprehensible to people.

"I respect everyone's decision, I hope that people will respect my decision if not understand it.

"I don't think I pose a danger to anyone. It's my decision and I am aware of the consequences, because now not everything is in my hands.

"I don't know if I will be able to play Indian Wells and some other tournaments."