Novak Djokovic thanks Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic (right) receives Novak Djokovic in Belgrade on Thursday. Pic/Getty Images

Novak Djokovic described his detention and deportation from Australia that prevented him from defending his Australian Open title as an "unfortunate event" and thanked the Serbian president for his support.

An 11-day saga over

Djokovic's entry visa ended with the Serb being deported for failing to meet Australia's strict COVID-19 vaccination requirements.

The top-ranked tennis star met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Thursday and described the events in Australia as "unexpected, to say the least."

"I wanted to meet with you today because, primarily as a citizen of Serbia, I felt a great need to thank you for great support that you, as the president of Serbia, gave me, as well as all state institutions during the unfortunate events in Australia," Djokovic said.

‘I wasn't feeling lonely'

"Although I was alone in detention, and faced with many problems and challenges, I wasn't feeling lonely. I had huge support primarily from my family, all of the close people in my life, entire Serbian nation, many people with good intentions from the region and the world."

Detailed version later

He did not speak about details of the events in Australia, promising to give his "version" later. Djokovic's meeting with the increasingly autocratic Vucic drew criticism from some of his fans in the Balkan country. The critics say Vucic used the event to boost his popularity ahead of general elections scheduled for April.

Djoko's COVID tests were valid: Serb officials

Novak Djokovic's COVID-19 tests submitted to Australian officials last month were legitimate, Serbian authorities said on Wednesday, after a string of media reports questioned the authenticity of the documents.

Serbia's prosecutor's office said there was no evidence suggesting the tests had been manipulated, according to an inquiry by the country's health ministry. "It was established that Novak Djokovic was tested multiple times and the... test results from December 16 and December 22 were valid," read the statement.

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