Novak Djokovic’s wife Jelena has broken her silence in a social post, taking “a deep breath to calm down” and urging everyone to show “respect across every single border”.
In a post to her 570,000 Instagram followers, she said that she wished she was with Novak for Christmas.
In Serbia, Christmas Day is celebrated on January 7 in line with the old Julian Calendar used by the Orthodox Church.
“It’s Christmas today for us, my wishes are for everyone to be healthy, happy, safe and together with families,” Jelena wrote.
“We wish we are all together today, but my consolation is that at least we are healthy. And we will grow from this experience.”
She thanked people “all around the world for using your voice to send love to my husband”.
“I am taking a deep breath to calm down and find gratitude (and understanding) in this moment for all that is happening,” Jelena said.
“The only law that we should all respect across every single border is love and respect for another human being.
“Love and forgiveness is never a mistake but a powerful force.”
Jelena’s positive feelings were certainly not shared by other members of the Djokovic family.
The star’s father Srdjan compared his son’s detention in Australia to that of Jesus Christ on the cross, saying he is being “crucified”.
“Jesus was crucified and endured many things but is still alive among us,” he said.
“Novak is also crucified … the best sportsman and man in the world. He will endure.”
Srdjan also blasted Australian authorities for keeping Djokovic in detention.
“They’re keeping him in captivity,” he said. “They’re stomping all over Novak to stomp all over Serbia and Serbian people.
“This has nothing to do with sports, this is a political agenda.
“Novak is the best player and the best athlete in the world but several hundred million people from the West can’t stomach that.”
Srdjan, who has been bellowing his message over a megaphone on the streets of Belgrade, demanded the immediate release of the world No. 1 tennis player.
Djokovic’s mother Dijana also lashed out at a family press conference.
“I feel terrible since yesterday, the last 24 hours. They are keeping him like a prisoner,” she said.
“It’s just not fair. It’s not human. I just hope he will be strong as we are trying also to be very strong to give him some energy to keep on going. I hope that he will win.
“It’s just some small immigration hotel, if we can call it a hotel at all. Some bugs, it’s dirty and the food is so terrible.”
Djokovic, 34, is being held in detention at Melbourne’s Park Hotel, which is used to hold asylum seekers.
Migrants say the rooms in the $109 a night hotel are relatively small and guests have complained of being served maggot-infested food.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has also hit out at Djokovic’s treatment, labelling it a “political witch hunt”.
“What is not fair-play is the political witch hunt (being conducted against Novak), by everybody including the Australian Prime Minister pretending that the rules apply to all,” he said.
“I fear that this relentless political pursuit of Novak will continue till the moment they can prove something, because when you cannot defeat somebody then you turn to these type of things.”
Djokovic jetted into Melbourne on Wednesday having been granted a medical exemption by the Australian Open organisers.
He was hoping to defend his Australian Open crown and claim an unprecedented 21st Grand Slam title when the tournament starts on January 17.
But he had his visa revoked on arrival and is now in detention until Monday when lawyers will argue his case.
