Novak Djokovic has disclosed that a disagreement with his wife, Jelena, over his public statements regarding his vaccination status contributed to his deportation from Australia in 2022. The tennis player spent five days detained in Melbourne's Park Hotel after his visa was denied entry by the then-immigration minister, Alex Hawke, on grounds of public health and order amid pandemic restrictions.
In his documentary, "Novak Djokovic: The Wolf in Winter," the 24-time Grand Slam champion explained that on the eve of his departure for Australia, he intended to post an Instagram caption that included the phrase "exemption permission," alongside a New Year's message and his excitement about heading to Australia.
Djokovic stated that he was eligible to enter Australia unvaccinated if he could provide proof of a COVID-19 infection within the previous six months, which he had done twice. He told his wife of his intention to post the details of his exemption.
However, Jelena Djokovic disagreed with the public disclosure of his vaccination status and exemption. "I said, 'look, it's your choice, please don't elaborate on it, because there are other people thinking differently'," Jelena recounted. "And from the moment he posted on Instagram... the hell opened."
Djokovic proceeded with posting the caption, which included the contentious phrase. He was subsequently detained at the airport and faced a ten-day legal battle over his cancelled visa. Although briefly allowed to prepare for the Grand Slam, Australian authorities later identified inconsistencies in his travel history and quarantine periods, leading to a second visa cancellation and his eventual deportation.
Djokovic has maintained that his deportation was a "political" decision rather than a result of a specific breach. He suggested that Australia, which had stringent lockdown measures, did not want a high-profile unvaccinated individual entering the country and potentially influencing public perception, especially when Australian citizens were restricted from returning home. He also noted that two other individuals, a player and a coach, had reportedly entered the country on similar medical exemptions.
Reflecting on the incident, Djokovic acknowledged Jelena's advice as an instance "why you should listen to your wife's instinct."
Separately, Djokovic has also spoken about discovering high levels of lead and mercury in his body upon returning to Serbia after his time in Australia. He speculated that the heavy metals may have originated from his food.
A spokesperson for Australia’s Department of Home Affairs stated that the department cannot comment on individual cases due to privacy reasons.