Novak talks about Melbourne hell in front of Vucic: "I'll never forget Serbian people's support"

A conversation between the head of state, and the best tennis player in the world

President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic met today with the best tennis player in the world, Novak Djokovic, in the building of the General Secretariat of the President of the Republic in Belgrade.

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Novak Djokovic did not compete in the Australian Open because he was deported from Melbourne by a disgraceful decision of the Australian government, after almost two weeks of the ordeal the top athlete was put through.

During that time, he several times spoke with Vucic, who was trying to help the world's best tennis player in the fight for his rights - and the president did not spare the Australian government and politicians of his criticism.

Today Vucic addressed the press.

"I'd never seen such a thing. Someone much bigger than us came along, much more important. I want to say a big thank you for being here today, for always being with our people. This has never happened before, for journalists to stand in three rows, that speaks to what you represent to our people and Serbia. You represent our country on the biggest stage. Thank you for the great fight you put up in Australia," President Vucic said, addressing Djokovic, and then revealed what he said to the tennis player during the saga in Melbourne.

"Novak and I spoke the first morning, I told him, 'Come, Novak, come back. What are you doing there, come to Serbia'. He showed how much he wants to prove himself as an athlete. When Medvedev said that they killed the boy in him... some tried to kill the hearts of boys and girls in this country. My plea to you... We all hope you will overtake Nadal and Federer. We didn't know who to support in the final, we supported Medvedev a bit, but you have been the best for years and years, no one will be able to overtake that. We are ready as a state to help the future of tennis. We will not have Djokovic in 20-30 years, but some new children should defend the flag. Thank you for always standing with Serbia."

And then Djokovic addressed journalists.

"Thank you for the welcome. Today I wanted to see you, as a citizen of Serbia, to thank you for your support, as well as all the institutions during the unfortunate events in Australia. Although I was detained alone, I did not feel lonely, I had the support of my family, friends, the entire Serbian people, many well-meaning people from all over the world tried personally and publicly to make my time in Australia easier. You had no obligation to provide support, but I want you to know that I feel great gratitude that you stood up for me, put yourself in a compromising situation. That is appreciated and respected, I will remember it for a long time and my connection and my attitude towards the Serbian people is getting stronger day by day. Those circumstances that happened to me in Australia taught me and that bond will last forever. Since I did not speak before, please be patient, in the next seven to ten days I will address in more detail everything that happened in Australia," said Djokovic:

"He won't tell you, but he will beat everyone at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open," Vucic said.

(Telegraf.rs)