Novak Djokovic has thanked his fans “around the world,” his family, and Serbia in his first statement since detention in Melbourne, Australia.

“Thank you to people around the world for your continuous support. I can feel it and it is greatly appreciated,” wrote Djokovic in an Instagram story.

The tennis world number one arrived in Australia days earlier for the Australian Open after receiving a controversial exemption from vaccination requirements in the country. However, Australian Border Force (ABF) officials claimed that Djokovic had failed to produce adequate evidence for an exemption when he arrived at the Melbourne airport.

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Subsequently, the 34-year-old was detained at an immigration detention hotel in Melbourne, a move that sparked outrage from Djokovic’s fans, family, and even Serbian political leaders.

Earlier on Thursday, Djokovic’s parents claimed that their son was being held as a captive in Australia because of a politically-driven agenda to slight Serbia. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic also jumped in to voice support for the Serbian tennis icon, and told media that Djokovic was being subjected to “harassment” by Australian authorities.

Subsequently, on Friday, Australian Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews denied the allegations and said that Djokovic was free to leave the country any time he felt like and that ABF would gladly facilitate the same. Andrews also firmly established that the law of the land would not be tweaked to give preferential treatment to anyone.

Djokovic had earlier voiced his objection to vaccination, and holds that his vaccination status is a private matter that need not be disclosed to the public.

Also read | Rafael Nadal criticises Novak Djokovic’s vaccine stance, says world has ‘suffered enough’

Given Djokovic’s stance on vaccination, the decision by Tennis Australia, which organises the Australian Open, to grant him an exemption was met with outrage in Australia, which has endured several rounds of restrictions and lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and where 90 percent of the eligible population is fully vaccinated.

Djokovic has appealed against the cancellation of his visa in court, and the hearing is scheduled to take place on Monday.

The Australian Open is slated to commence from January 17.