Novak Djokovic may sue Australian government as Tennis Australia denies paying his legal bills 

Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic is reportedly preparing to launch legal action against the Australian Government over his deportation.

The world Number One was booted from the country on the eve of the Australian Open following a 11-day long visa battle with authorities.

Now back home in Serbia, the 20-time Grand Slam champion is reportedly in talks with lawyers about suing the Morrison Government for more than $6 million (£3.2million) over ‘ill treatment’, The Sun reported.

The claims come as Tennis Australia denied it paid Djokovic’s legal bills during his battle to stay in the country, telling radio station 2GB the claims are ‘all untrue’. 

Novak Djokovic (pictured) is reportedly weighing up his legal options after be deported from Australia

The estimated figure for damages includes the prize money Djokovic would have won had the defending Australian Open champion won his 10th title in Melbourne.

‘It’s well known that Novak and his family feel he was poorly treated in the quarantine hotel in Melbourne,’ a close source told The Sun.

‘His mother revealed how it was full of fleas and maggots. He was kept a virtual prisoner.’

Lawyer Toma Fila added: ‘He was subjected to humiliating treatment. He should sue.’ 

AHWC Immigration Law principal lawyer Maggie Taaffe warned earlier this month Djokovic could sue if he was deported. 

‘It’s possible he could certainly make a claim for compensation for being detained unlawfully because that was what the decision ultimately came to – the decision was procedurally unfair, it was unlawful,’ she told the Herald Sun. 

Djokovic was detained in an immigration detention hotel for at least half of his 11-day stay in Melbourne before he was deported over the visa and vaccine exemption saga.

Tennis Australia has denied claims it footed the legal bill for Novak Djokovic during his unsuccessful bid to stay in Australia. Pictured is Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley (left) with the world Number One (right)

Meanwhile, Tennis Australia has denied bombshell allegations it ‘paid for all legal fees’ for Djokovic during his fight to stay in Australia. 

It was among a series of allegations were made by powerful Melbourne figure John Locco on Sam Newman’s podcast, You Cannot Be Serious.

2GB breakfast show Ben Fordham told listeners on Thursday he’d been chasing answers from Tennis Australia since Tuesday in relation to the claims.

‘They gave us an answer yesterday that was an non-answer so we followed it up again and said can you give us a clear answer,’ Fordham said.

‘They now say “all untrue”. All untrue.’

‘So we have written back saying ‘are you categorially saying Tennis Australia did not pay for any legal fees for Novak?

‘We’re yet to hear back but based on the answer they’ve given us, they’re saying they didn’t pick up the tab.’

Novak Djokovic (pictured with wife Jelena) could sue over alleged ‘ill treatment’ in Australia

Three of Australia’s most senior judges heard Djokovic’s case on Sunday January 16 after Immigration Minister Alex Hawke used his ministerial powers to cancel the tennis ace’s visa on Friday  January 14.

It’s not yet clear what the legal costs will be, but initial reports after his first hearing – which the government was ordered to pay – suggested they could total $500,000.

The Federal Court is expected to reveal its reasoning behind the Djokovic decision later on Thursday.