Novak Djokovic Set To Sue Australian Government For $6 Million

Novak Djokovic still has a bitter taste in his mouth and is reportedly planning on suing the Australian government on grounds of "ill treatment" following his recent deportation.

The case is said to be worth upwards of $6million.

The Serbian tennis player made headlines across the world after having his visa cancelled at the border Down Under.

What followed was a dramatic week which included falsified documents, alleged Covid breaches, must-do interviews, controversial vaccine exemptions, court hearings, cryptic social media statements and time in a detention centre.

And at the end of it it, Djokovic was sent packing, meaning he wouldn't be able to defend his Australian Open crown and fulfil his hope of clinching a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title.

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Now, according to The Sun, the world No.1 has reached out to a lawyer after touching back down in his home country of Serbia and plans on launching legal proceedings against the government which booting him out of the country.

A source close to Djokovic's agent Edoardo Artladi said: "It's well known that Novak and his family feel he was poorly treated in the quarantine hotel in Melbourne.

"His mother revealed how it was full of fleas and maggots. He was kept a virtual prisoner."

Lawyer Toma Fila added: "He was subjected to humiliating treatment. He should sue."

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Djokovic's supposed "ill treatment" on Australian soil is one thing, but it seems his desire to get back on the court and compete is still hitting more road blocks.

With the Australian Open now behind him, he has turned his attention to the French open, although that now seems unlikely too with France's parliament recently approving the introduction of vaccine certificates to enter public venues.

On top of that, Djokovic's chances of defending his Wimbledon title appear to be dwindling by the day too.

According to reports in The Telegraph, Wimbledon officials are yet to offer the 34-year-old any assurances on whether he can compete as an unvaccinated player.

By the looks of things, sporting bodies are standing firm on their jab mandates with exemptions for unvaccinated athletes not being taken lightly.

Topics: Tennis, vaccine, Australian Open, Novak Djokovic, Australia, Covid-19, Tennis, vaccine, Australian Open, Novak Djokovic, Australia, Covid-19

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry