Novak Djokovic has disclosed that a disagreement with his wife, Jelena, over a social media post played a role in his 2022 deportation from Australia, a situation he described as "all political."
Djokovic spent five days detained at Melbourne's Park Hotel after his visa was denied by then-immigration minister Alex Hawke amid the country's strict pandemic border restrictions. He ultimately lost his appeal and was forced to leave Australia. The tennis star's visa was cancelled on grounds of "health and good order."
In a new documentary, "Novak Djokovic: The Wolf in Winter," the 24-time Grand Slam champion detailed how a difference of opinion with Jelena over an Instagram caption on the eve of his departure for Australia may have impacted his ability to compete in the Australian Open.
Djokovic had intended to post a caption that read, "I've spent fantastic quality time with my loved ones over the break and today I'm heading Down Under with exemption permission. Let's go 2022!!"
Jelena Djokovic disagreed with his public declaration of traveling with an "exemption permission," advocating for a simpler announcement. "I just didn't agree with him saying out loud that he wasn't vaccinated," she stated. "I said, 'look, it's your choice, please don't elaborate on it, because there are other people thinking differently.' And from the moment he posted on Instagram... the hell opened."
Djokovic, however, proceeded with the post including the phrase "exemption permission." He explained that 99% of people misunderstand his deportation, believing it was solely due to his unvaccinated status. He clarified that to enter Australia unvaccinated, one needed proof of a prior COVID-19 infection within the previous six months. Djokovic stated he had contracted the virus twice in that period, making him eligible for a special exemption.
Djokovic asserted that his deportation was a political decision, citing Australia's stringent lockdown measures and the desire to prevent a high-profile unvaccinated individual from entering the country while Australian citizens were restricted from returning home. He noted that two other individuals, a player and a coach, had entered Australia on similar medical exemptions.
He later reflected that his wife's commentary highlighted "another reason why you should listen to your wife's instinct."
Djokovic also recounted discovering high levels of lead and mercury in his body upon returning to Serbia, which he believes stemmed from his food during that period.
A spokesperson for Australia’s Department of Home Affairs told GQ that for privacy reasons, the department could not comment on individual cases.