A legend wonders about Australian tennis in the saga of Djokovic

Melbourne, Australia) Australian tennis legend John Newcombe has questioned the absence of the Australian Tennis Board and the apparent lack of support for CEO Craig Tilley, who is also responsible for running the Australian Open, during the Serbia visa crisis.

Newcomb’s comments came as former TA boss Steve Healy called on current chairman Gene Hrdlika and her board to explain any dealings they had with Djokovic during the incident, claiming the disaster had caused “tremendous damage” to the Australian Open. And for the country’s international reputation.

Newcombe, one of the most influential figures in Australian tennis history, endorsed Tilly’s handling of Djokovic’s visa but suggested that the board, silent since it became a political issue, should have appeared on a case involving the prime minister and prime minister of Victoria.

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“I support Craig 100%,” Newcomb told Sydney Morning Herald. “But I wonder why the people who overpaid in Tennis Australia weren’t there to support him through this,” said the three-time Wimbledon champion, former Davis Cup captain and world number one.

The Australian legend said the responsibility for the situation rested with Djokovic. He also refuted the statement of the Serbian president, who said that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were not treated in this way by the authorities: “Federer and Nadal would not have put themselves in this position.”