Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic is one of the most influential athletes on the planet. However, the year 2022 hasn’t been great for the Serb. Earlier in the Summer, Novak’s non-vaccination led to his detention at Melbourne’s Park Hotel.

Novak spent plenty of time in that hotel as his battle with the Australian authority continued on the court. Eventually, the 20-time Grand Slam champion lost his court case and had to leave the country without playing the Australian Open. Recently, Djokovic talked about his time at the Park Hotel in Melbourne and whether he had any chance to meet any refugees, particularly a guy named Mehdi Ali, also detained at the same hotel.

Novak Djokovic would like to meet Mehdi Ali someday

The story of the Iranian Refugee Mehdi Ali is quite inspiring and heartbreaking at the same time. Ali came to Australia from Iran in 2013 as a 15-year-old, and since then, his life has been miserable. For nearly nine years, he has been living in detention.

Earlier, the Australian authority detained Novak Djokovic in the Park Hotel in Melbourne. Coincidentally, Ali was also living in that same detention center. In a recent interview with Ana Mitric, Djokovic expressed his desire to meet Ali, which he didn’t get the chance earlier. 

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“As for Mehdi in particular, whom you mentioned, I know he’s active on social media as well – and I know who he is. I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to meet him. I hope to have the opportunity to do that some day. As I mentioned, I’ll really try to find a way to support them. I mean, just talking about them in public is already support and, in some way, shedding light on the problems they are going through,” Djokovic said. 

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“At the same time, the situation is very complex – not just in Australia, but around the world – with refugees. I come from a country which has had a lot of refugees and wars in recent times, in the last 20-30 years, and the whole region has suffered a lot. It’s something that hits me hard, of course, and I was shaken when I saw the circumstances which they have to go through and what they have to experience in life, [especially] such a young man. So, I really wish [the Park Hotel detainees] well and I will try my best, as I said. The whole thing is still so fresh and we’re trying to find a way to help them even more,” Djokovic further said. 

Notably, Ali recently announced that he is finally free and will relocate to the United States.

What’s next for Novak?

Amidst all the controversy, Novak finally received some good news. According to the French Government, they will lift the vaccine mandate rule from 14th March. As a result, Djokovic is now clear to participate in the French Open, which will start on 22nd May. 

BREAKING: Novak Djokovic Is Set to Play At the French Open After French Government Changes the Rules

Can Djokovic win his 21st Grand Slam title at Roland Garros? Let us know in the comments.