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"If you cannot defeat him, put him on hold," think many Serbs who resentfully follow the treatment in Australia of

Novak Djokovic

, number one of the ATP, who awaits, confined, the outcome of the controversy over his visa. Thousands of kilometers from Melbourne, his compatriots gather in Belgrade to support the national champion, at the request of their father.

"What this man is experiencing is a shame," exclaimed Dusan Stojic, a retiree meeting before the Serbian parliament, before breaking down in tears. "At first, they invite him and tell him that his papers are in order. But then they keep him in an establishment. It is incredible. An athlete like him, perhaps the best of all time," said David Lukovic, 23 years. Social media is full of messages of support for Nole and also of tirades against Serbia's mistreatment of the great dominator of the circuit.

Serbian President

Aleksandar Vucic

denounced a "political hunt" and the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, which celebrates Christmas on Friday, sent a message to Djokovic explaining that millions of faithful pray for him around the world.

In the country governed by the ultranationalist Vucic, this situation is considered by many to be the latest in a long list of humiliations.

10 days from the start

The detention center where Djokovic is held, located in the former Hotel Park, houses 32 refugees and asylum seekers, trapped in the strict Australian migration system. In any case, the border authorities have refused to specify the exact location of the Belgrade player, who hopes to win the legal battle against the cancellation of his visa to be able to participate in the Australian Open. 10 days before the start of the tournament, the unknown remains whether the 34-year-old Serbian will be able to seek his tenth victory in Melbourne, the fourth in a row, and break the record of 21 Grand Slams that he shares with

Roger Federer

and

Rafa Nadal

.

This controversial episode has put the government of Prime Minister

Scott Morrison

in trouble , questioned about the management of this incident a few months before the federal elections in May.

Under pressure from the explosion of Covid cases and the collapse of the screening system previously considered effective, Morrison defended himself against having Djokovic's visa revoked at the last minute.

However, many Australians see this controversy as a distraction as the balance of infections exceeds 70,000 a day, after almost two years with hardly any infections.

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