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Although Novak Djokovic has been deported out of Australia, he has left behind a huge chunk of an unbilled amount to be paid by the tax bearers of the country. This is nothing more than annoying for the citizens. After watching 11 days of nuisance, they are left with Djokovic's £265,000 legal bill which roughly amounts to ₹2,68,88,755.
According to a report, Tennis Australia had apparently agreed to bear the cost of Novak Djokovic's hearings as part of an agreement to fight for him to stay and compete in Melbourne.
It all started with an exemption to Novak Djokovic to play in the Australian Open despite being unvaccinated against the COVID-19. Later, when Djokovic arrived in Australia, he was summoned by the Australian Border Force, who revoked his visa and sent him to an immigration facility while he waited for an appeal hearing. The court overturned the decision in Djokovic's favor and he was allowed to take to the tennis court and begin preparations to defend his Australian Open title.
However, the country’s immigration minister Alex Hawke then took it upon himself to personally cancel the visa for a second time. It was then that Djokovic decided to hire the best lawyers and wanted the top judged to hear his case.
Tennis Australia confirms it will pay Djokovic's legal fees
Tennis Australia has not denied the allegation it paid the fees, which a source close to TA leaked to Daily Mail Australia. All these allegations came up after reports claim that the organization refused to provide legal help to Czech tennis player Renata Voracova, who was deported from Australia after enduring similar visa issues.
A source close to Tennis Australia said all profits and earnings the business makes are supposed to be poured back into the sport and community. "The biggest thing people don't know is that Tennis Australia are paying his legal bills... Not Novak himself. They get government funding for the event [Australian Open], so ultimately the taxpayer will pay his legal fees even though he lost," the source said.