Novak Djokovic Has A Number Of Outrageous Demands Rejected By Australian Border Protection

Novak Djokovic asked Australian Border Force if he could have a personal chef and access to a tennis court during his stay in a Melbourne quarantine hotel - both requests have been turned down.

Djokovic is currently in immigration custody at a $109-a-night hotel due to a row over his medical exemption from Australia's Covid-19 vaccination rules.

The Serbian is currently in the hotel with 32 other refugees and asylum seekers until Monday, when he'll attend a hearing on his deportation.

Per Daily Mail, Djokovic requested a chef as he has a gluten intolerance and wants to keep his diet as normal as possible.

It's also been claimed he asked to move to a rented apartment, offering to pay for private guards, but the requests were swiftly denied.

Alamy

Djokovic had travelled to the country to take part in the Australia Open which starts on January 17.

The 34-year-old is a nine-time winner of the competition and hopes to win his fourth in a row.

Djokovic's lawyers are arguing that he's been granted an exemption from the vaccine after testing positive for Covid-19 last month and recovering.

He was provided with a letter from the Chief Medical Officer of Tennis Australia proving his exemption.

However, he's been detained in the hotel since Thursday after his visa was cancelled.

Alamy

The current world number one posted a message to Instagram telling fans: "Thank you to people around the world for your continuous support. I can feel it and it is greatly appreciated."

Novak's father, Srdjan, has publicly commented on how his son has been treated and it's fair to say he isn't happy.

He explained during a press conference in Serbia: "What is not fair play is the political witch hunt, by everybody including the Australian Prime Minister pretending that the rules apply to all.

"[Novak] met all the required conditions for the entry and participation at the tournament that he would have certainly won.

Alamy

"Jesus was crucified and endured many things but is still alive among us. Novak is also crucified... the best sportsman and man in the world. He will endure."

Some in Australia have taken to protesting for Djokovic's freedom, believing his treatment throughout the whole ordeal to be unfair.

A candlelit vigil was even held outside the hotel.

Topics: Novak Djokovic, Australian Open

Daniel Marland

Daniel is a social editor for SPORTbible after moving from the writing team. Nearly scored past Stormzy at Old Trafford once.

@DanMarland_