Novak Djokovic’s message to Australia after he was kicked out of the country for not having a Covid-19 jab

Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic is still scarred by his deportation from Australia for not taking the Covid jabs and said he was wrongly labeled a 'villain of the world'.

Djokovic was forced to leave Australia just days before he was due to take the court as defending Australian Open champion in January 2022 because he entered the country unvaccinated during pandemic border restrictions.

In an interview for US network CBS, which aired on Djokovic, Djokovic said that despite often encountering hostile crowds during his career, nothing had prepared him for the deportation saga.

“I was basically declared the bad guy of the world,” he said as he prepared to return to Australia for next year's Australian Open, which starts on January 16.

The saga began when Djokovic was granted an exemption from strict vaccination rules by two medical panels and Tennis Australia to play at the Australian Open. That exemption, based on evidence that he recently recovered from COVID-19, apparently allowed him to obtain a visa to enter Australia. But upon arrival, border officials said the exemption was not valid and decided to deport him.

The ensuing back-and-forth raised questions about whether Djokovic was unfairly given special treatment or unfairly singled out for his celebrity status, and saw many complain that the drawn-out battle at the very least made Australia look bad.

A court initially ruled on procedural grounds that Djokovic could stay, but then Immigration Minister Alex Hawke, who has broad powers, decided to deport him. In addition to not being vaccinated against the coronavirus, Djokovic is an outspoken vaccine skeptic, and the government said his presence could fuel anti-vaccine sentiments.

Three judges of the Federal Court unanimously upheld the decision of the immigration minister.

Djokovic admitted that while he was often not a crowd favorite, what happened to him in Australia was another level of antagonism.

“I had that kind of experience on the tennis court, with crowds of people that might not be cheering me on, but I've never had this particular experience before in my life,” he said.

Djokovic was asked by interviewer Jon Wertheim if he had “misinterpreted” the mood of the Australian public, who had “very strong opinions about vaccination” and did not like the “exceptionalism” of the perceived Serbian star.

“It wasn't up to me to read anyone,” Djokovic said.

“I was cleared to enter the country and so of course it escalated to the highest of the highest levels worldwide.”

Djokovic challenged then-Immigration Minister Alex Hawke's decision to revoke his visa, but ultimately lost his appeal to the Federal Court.

After losing an appeal, Djokovic was forced to leave Australia following the intervention of immigration minister Alex Hawke

Liberal Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Djokovic had not adhered to “the rules” that to enter Australia “you must either be vaccinated or have a valid medical exemption and show proof of that”.

However, in his lawsuit, Mr Hawke did not dispute that Djokovic's medical exemption was valid, but based his argument on the possibility that he “could pose a health risk” by promoting “anti-vaccination sentiment”.

Djokovic flatly rejected the label of being 'anti-vax'.

'II'm not anti-vax. No, I'm pro pro vax,” he told Wertheim, explaining that he believed it was up to the individual.

“I am for the freedom to choose,” Djokovic said.

Djokovic made a triumphant return earlier this year to win a record 10th Australian Open title

Djokovic made a triumphant return this year to claim his record-setting 10th Australian Open, maintaining a 28-match winning streak at the event dating back to 2018.

With his latest Open victory, Djokovic drew level with Rafeal Nadal's then 22 Grand Slam total.

The 36-year-old Serbian has since won two more Slams, well ahead of his great rivals Nadal and the retired Roger Federer on the ladder of victories in the Majors.