Keepin touch

Whether you have a question, comment, suggestion or any problem in the purview of the government, send us your message and we will try to respond as soon as possible. If your problem is not in our purview, we will forward your message to the relevant institution.

The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Securing equal treatment for Novak Djokovic

Belgrade/London, 6 January 2022

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said today in a statement for the British Sky News that she and the whole of Serbia stand by the world’s best tennis player Novak Djokovic, who has been prevented from entering Australia by the authorities of that country and added that Serbia is fighting for Djokovic to have the same treatment as other athletes.

Brnabic also made the request, without wanting to interfere in the immigration regulations in Australia, that Djokovic be allowed to be transferred from inadequate conditions in the hotel where he is currently staying to the house he rented and where he was supposed to stay during the Australian Open, with guarantees from the state of Serbia.

Regarding the statement of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson that it is a good idea to be vaccinated, she pointed out that she herself is vaccinated, even with the third dose and that the authorities in Serbia are constantly calling on citizens to be vaccinated, but that Novak Djokovic has not been given the same treatment as other athletes in Australia.

According to her, Djokovic received a medical exemption, as well as a permit to participate in the Australian Open, and that is why he is there now.

Answering the question why he is in such a situation if he was given an exception, Brnabic said that that is a question for the Australian authorities, in which she does not want to interfere, but that it is important for her as Prime Minister and the whole country that a solution be reached as soon as possible.

The Prime Minister pointed out that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is in direct contact with Djokovic and his family, as well as that she is in contact with the Embassy of Serbia in Australia, and the Embassy of Australia in Belgrade.

We really don't understand. Novak has a medical exemption, based on which he received a permit to participate in the tournament, and boarded the plane. If you do not have a visa or all the documents, you cannot board the plane, especially not to Australia. Other tennis players who had a medical exemption entered the country, the Prime Minister pointed out.

Asked whether she agrees with the president's assessment that it is a matter of political persecution, Brnabic said that she cannot see anything else in it.

Answering the host's question regarding Novak Djokovic's posts about vaccination on social networks, she underlined that she cannot be a lawyer for his personal views.

Rules are rules, if he received an exemption, which was accepted by the organisers and medical staff of the Australian Open, if he was allowed to get on the plane, if his team provided evidence, then I don't know why this is happening to him, said the Prime Minister.

We will do everything to ensure that Novak receives the same treatment. We all stand by Novak and his family in these difficult times, said Brnabic and underlined that we all expect a quick response and that in the meantime Novak will be isolated in adequate conditions.