When asked about the status of the refugees, some of whom had been locked up in Melbourne for years, Djokovic said: “All the refugees, all the refugees left the detention center?
“If that’s right, I’m obviously very happy with it because I know it was very difficult for them, especially for those who stayed there for nine years,” he said.
Serbian Novak Djokovic celebrates a one-point victory over Slovenian Aljaz Bedene during the third round match of the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros on Friday 27 May 2022 in Paris . (Photo AP / Thibault Camus) Credit: AP
“I was there for a week and I can’t imagine how they felt for nine years.
“They did not do anything wrong, they are asylum seekers and they stayed there for nine years. That’s something I obviously didn’t understand why.
“But if I shed some light on this situation, then, you know, in a positive way for them, for that to happen, then of course I’m very happy because they had another chance in a different country. .
“It simply came to our notice then. Until you experience something like this and see the circumstances, you have no idea how it feels when someone takes your liberty. “
Djokovic referred to the case of Mehdi Ali, who was released in early March and resettled in the United States.
“I know he went to the United States. I saw that, I saw his pictures. I was very happy that he was happy, that he was able to live free.”
Djokovic confirmed his non-vaccination status in a BBC interview in February and said he was not against vaccination, but that he was willing to skip Grand Slam tournaments if he was forced to do the jab. .
News that the Coalition had lost power in Australia and that Labor leader Anthony Albanese was Australia’s newest prime minister reached Djokovic in France.
“In terms of government, yes, I heard the news,” said the Serb, who has won 20 major titles, behind Rafael Nadal, who won the Australian Open in Djokovic’s absence.
“But I mean, I don’t know if my visa will be restored or if I will be allowed to return to Australia.
“I’d love to. I’d love to go and play the Australian Open. I don’t hold a grudge. Look, you know, that was what it was.
“If I have the opportunity to return to Australia and play a place where I have achieved the greatest success of my Grand Slam career [titles]I would love to go back.
“Let’s see how it goes.”