Novak Djokovic's parents accused the Australian authorities on Thursday of 'crucifying' their son as he was moved to a detention hotel used to house refugees and asylum-seekers.
Yet one of his main rivals, Rafael Nadal, offered little sympathy, suggesting that the world No 1 knew the risk he was running by declining the vaccine.
With Djokovic confined to accommodation in Melbourne where the food has been described as maggot-ridden, it emerged that the paperwork supporting his visa on the basis of an exemption was decidedly flimsy.
He is being held at the hotel after his lawyers secured permission for him to remain in the country after being initially barred on Wednesday. There will be a court hearing on Monday to determine whether he is deported.
The Djokovic family staged an emotional press conference on Thursday in which the player's father Srdjan used hyberbolic language to describe his son's condition.
'Jesus was crucified and everything was done to him, and he endured, he is still alive among us,' said Srdjan.
Novak Djokovic's parents accused the Australian authorities of 'crucifying' their son
Djokovic is being held at an Australian hotel after his visa was rejected by the authorities
There will be a court hearing on Monday to determine whether he is deported from Australia
'They are trying to crucify Novak in the same way, to underestimate him, to throw him to his knees, to do everything to him.' He also addressed Australian premier Scott Morrison, who has encouraged a hardline position against the nine-times Melbourne champion.
'You, famous prime minister of the far-away, naturally beautiful country, are behaving according to your principles, which have nothing to do with us and our principles. We are humans, you are not.'
Djokovic's mother Dijana said that they had spoken to their son, who is in a secured facility until his court case is heard.
'His accommodation is terrible. It's just some small, immigration hotel. With bugs, it's all dirty, the food is terrible. They don't want to give him a chance to move to a better hotel or a rented house,' she said, adding that he was having problems sleeping.
The player's father Srdjan used hyperbolic language to describe his son's condition
He also addressed Australian premier Scott Morrison, who has encouraged a hardline position
Her words were backed up by Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic, who said: 'The whole of Serbia is with him and our authorities are undertaking all measures in order that maltreatment of the world's best tennis player ends as soon as possible.'
Nadal did express some pity for a player he has faced 58 times across the net, but pointedly remarked that he could easily have avoided his fate.
'I think if he wanted, he would be playing here in Australia without a problem,' said the Spaniard, who is staying in the contrasting environment of the city's main casino hotel.
'He made his own
