Novak Djokovic is "in talks" to sue the Australian government for "ill treatment", The Sun has reported.
World no. 1 tennis pro Djokovic was deported from Australia on Sunday night following a dramatic visa row over the star being unvaccinated against Covid.
The Serbian player's last-ditch attempt to stay and defend his title in the Australian Open was rejected in court - hours before the tournament began on Monday morning.
Now, the saga has taken yet another dramatic twist - as reports have emerged claiming that Djokovic is gearing up for a $6 million lawsuit against the Australian government.
The $6 million AUD sum ($4.3 million USD) includes the prize money he could have potentially won if he were allowed to compete in the Open, which he has won nine times.
According to The Sun, a source close to Djokovic's agent, Edoardo Artladi, reportedly said that the star was outraged over how he had been treated in Australia.
"It’s well known that Novak and his family feel he was poorly treated in the quarantine hotel in Melbourne," the unnamed source said. "His mother revealed how it was full of fleas and maggots. He was kept a virtual prisoner."
Djokovic spent five days in an infamous quarantine hotel after initially being refused entrance to the country at Melbourne airport.
Border force cited Djokovic's unvaccinated status as the reason he was denied entry - despite the star claiming a medical exemption due to having proof of a recent Covid infection.
However, their decision was overturned in court days later and the player's visa was reinstated.
But it was not the end of the saga for Djokovic, who once again had his visa canceled for a second time- this time by Immigration Minister Alex Hawke.
Hawke cited risk to public health and fear of exciting anti-vaccination sentiment as his reasons for deporting the star. Djokovic nonetheless appealed his ruling - but it was upheld in court, and he was forced to return to Belgrade, Serbia.
Immigration Law expert Maggie Taaffe had previously told the Herald that the star was in a position to take legal action.
"He could certainly make a claim for compensation for being detained unlawfully because that was what the decision ultimately came to," she said, adding "the decision was procedurally unfair, it was unlawful."
Per The Sun, attorney Toma Fila has also commented on the story, adding: "[Djokovic] was subjected to humiliating treatment. He should sue."