Pilić: Novak will be exposed to whistles and applauds in Melbourne VIDEO

Pilić: Novak will be exposed to whistles and applauds in Melbourne VIDEO

Speaking about his case and the Australian saga, where he was originally banned from entering, before the Court annulled the decision, Pilić said that it was a shame how he was treated as the world's number one.

He emphasized that this is not the first injustice, because he had similarly bad treatment at the New York US Open when he was disqualified.

"This is not the first time that something like this has happened to Novak in the world of sports, politics is interfering, something similar happened to him at the US Open. If it was Federer, he would not have been disqualified. It bothers them that Novak is number one for 350 weeks and that he is the greatest player of all time. The West is not objective," Pilic began.

Pilić, as one of Novak's "tennis fathers", is in constant contact with the Djokovic family.

"The treatment he has from the Australian authorities is shameful. He is a nine-time winner of that tournament and that is why he must have some credit. They treated him like a criminal and that is shameful. Srdjan Djokovic is right, the West would love to see an American, an Englishman, A German, a Frenchman in that place, but that is not possible. There is no guarantee in sports. Novak has shown with his charisma and quality that he belongs there". He also touched on the ATP, which issued a statement only on the sixth day since Djokovic got into trouble.

"I am one of the seven ATP founders. They became a company, they are only interested in money, nothing more. When there was a boycott of Wimbledon in 1973, 72 players sided with me, and almost no one sided with Novak now. Nick Kyrgios and several more... ATP had to speak up the day after and stand on Djokovic's side". It was the ATP that suggested vaccination.

"I can agree with that, but... What will we do if 90 percent of people in England are vaccinated, and out of 66 million a day, 350.000 are infected? What are we going to do about it?", the Croat wonders.

How will Novak be welcomed in Melbourne by the locals?

"I think there will be applause and whistles. The world is divided. I received three vaccines, there are those who do not want to. It would be easier if he received the vaccine, but there are people who think differently. He got the green light, and then they greeted him as a criminal. "

He has been without training for six days...

"It will leave a little mark. It is extremely important that he wins the first round to improve his form. If he enters the second week of the tournament, he will be on his level. Novak is still the biggest favorite to win the Australian Open," concluded Pilić, noting that Novak Djokovic is the greatest tennis player of all time, even if he does not win a single Grand Slam by the end of his career.