Novak Djokovic has achieved an unprecedented feat by successful the Australian Open a file 9 instances, but a possible tenth championship title in Melbourne this month may show to be essentially the most gratifying of all following his humbling suspension final 12 months.
Twelve months in the past the Serbian famous person, one of many most interesting males’s tennis gamers of all time, was on the heart of a worldwide firestorm as he fought deportation from Australia.
The 35-year-old’s refusal to get vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19 sparked a high-profile authorized battle which finally noticed him turfed in a foreign country on the eve of the Grand Slam.
In his absence, his nice rival Rafael Nadal gained the Australian Open for a file twenty first main crown.
Some individuals, together with former world primary Jim Courier, felt Djokovic was the sufferer of politics in what was an election 12 months in Australia.
Djokovic, who was held for some time in an immigration detention heart because the saga performed out, now goes into subsequent week’s showpiece because the red-hot favourite to win it.
If he does, it is going to be his twenty second Grand Slam title, tying him with Nadal on the prime of the all-time males’s checklist.
Many in Australia had been glad to see the again of Djokovic in January 2022, however there are indications that public sentiment has softened since.
He loved robust help from the group as he blew away the remainder of the sphere final week to win in Adelaide for the 92nd ATP title of his profession – degree with the Spaniard Nadal.
“The support I have been getting in the last 10 days was something that I don’t think I’ve experienced too many times in my life,” Djokovic stated after saving a match level within the remaining in opposition to Sebastian Korda on Sunday.
Last month, The Sydney Morning Herald reported a survey confirmed 30% of Australians now supported him being allowed into the nation, up from 14% in January final 12 months.
Along along with his ominous type, the playing cards look to have fallen Djokovic’s approach this time.
There are indications that age and harm are catching up with Nadal. The 36-year-old has misplaced six of his previous seven matches stretching again to the US Open, the place he went out within the final 16 to Frances Tiafoe.
Roger Federer is now not within the image, having retired final 12 months, and world primary Carlos Almaraz – the brand new child on the block – is out of Melbourne with an harm.
Daniil Medvedev, the shedding finalist in 2021 and 2022, is the obvious risk apart from Nadal, having overwhelmed Djokovic within the 2021 U.S. Open remaining to win his lone main.
Djokovic although outclassed the Russian 6-3, 6-4 final week within the Adelaide semi-finals and Medvedev has dropped to eighth on the planet.
Emotional baggage
Mats Wilander, a former world primary who gained seven Grand Slam titles, believes Djokovic is a “pretty heavy favorite” in Melbourne and will probably be doubly motivated by what occurred final 12 months.
“I don’t think that we have ever seen a more hungry tennis player in terms of wanting to get revenge or wanting to win matches,” the 58-year-old Swede informed Eurosport.
“I don’t think anyone has ever been hungrier than Novak is going to be.”
But Patrick Mouratoglou, who was the long-time coach of the now-retired Serena Williams, warned that the feelings of his controversial deportation may meet up with Djokovic.
“It’s going to be tough for Novak in Australia, that’s for sure,” he stated.
“He (is) going to carry a big emotional baggage. He’s been through so much, emotionally speaking. Nobody is immune.”
Speaking for the primary time since setting foot again in Australia, Djokovic earlier this month admitted that the occasions of final 12 months “stays with you for, I guess, the rest of your life.”
But after beating Korda for the Adelaide crown, he stated he held no grudges.
“I couldn’t ask for a better preparation and lead-up to the Australian Open,” he stated.
“I love playing in Australia. My results are a testament to that.”
