The uncertainty around Novak Djokovic and his participation in the Australian Open finally came to an end. The top-ranked ATP star will face deportation now, and will be leaving Australia.

Consequently, the defending champion of the Australian Open will no longer be in contention for defending his title. The tennis fraternity expressed their shock over this result, and many gave their opinions about the same on Twitter.

If he had played the Grand Slam, Novak Djokovic would have faced compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic in the first round. In fact, this would have been the most amiable opponent he could have had.

Kecmanovic wants the Serbian team to play harder for Novak Djokovic

In an Instagram post, Kecmanovic stated that this news about his compatriot was a “bitter pill”. He further stated that he couldn’t fathom what Novak went through over the course of the past ten days.

In fact, Miomir was “really looking forward” to playing Djokovic in the opening round of the Australian Open, right at the center court of the Rod Laver Arena.

However, all his thoughts “now make no sense” for Miomir, as the “last seven days” have upturned everything. He then expressed how the Serbian team in Melbourne “is indignant and disappointed”.

In that vein, he urged his Serbian compatriots playing in the Australian Open to “make additional efforts now”. He wishes for the Serbians to “avenge (their) best representative”.

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Finally, he addressed Novak Djokovic directly and expressed his belief that the World No. 1 would go on to win even more Grand Slams. “We are all with you,” Kecmanovic wrote, assuring Novak that his problems right now won’t stop him from “creating a historic success”.

Many in the tennis fraternity are unhappy

Naturally, many tennis players, former and active, took to Twitter to express their unhappiness with the situation.

Former World No. 11 Alize Cornet tweeted that Novak is someone who helps players on the tour whenever he can. However, nobody stood by him when he needed it, and expressed her sadness over the same.

Coach Patrick Mouratoglou, famous for coaching Serena Williams and Stefanos Tsitsipas, tweeted that it is the Australian Open itself that has lost the most amidst all this mess.

What are your opinions about this? Do you think the Australian Open might see a Serbian champion rise this month?

(Quotes translated via Google Translator)

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