Serbian legend Novak Djokovic will always remember the heartbreak of being deported from Australia earlier this yr, however the tennis star’s willingness to return for subsequent month’s Grand Slam at Melbourne Park reveals simply how a lot the nation means to him.
Djokovic was deported on the eve of the 2022 Australian Open in January for not being vaccinated towards COVID-19 and obtained a three-year journey ban for the nation.
However, the previous world primary’s visa ban was waived in November, opening up a path for Djokovic to focus on a tenth Australian Open crown and giving him an opportunity to tie Rafael Nadal’s mark of twenty-two Grand Slam titles.
“You can’t forget those events, it’s one of those things that stick with you,” mentioned Djokovic in his first news convention since returning to Australia.
“It stays with you for the rest of your life. It’s something I’ve never experienced before and hopefully never again, but it is a valuable life experience for me. But I have to move on, and coming back to Australia speaks about how I feel about this country and how I feel about playing here,” he mentioned.
Djokovic will heat up for the Australian Open by enjoying within the Adelaide International beginning on Jan. 1 and he’s anticipating a heat reception from native followers.
“It’s a great place and the people in Adelaide, and generally in Australia, love tennis, love sports and it’s a sporting nation. So hopefully we’re going to have a lot of people watching and we can have a good time,” Djokovic mentioned.
“I’m hoping everything is going to be positive. Obviously, it’s not something that I can predict. I’ll do my best to play some good tennis and bring good emotions and good feelings to the crowd,” he hoped.
Djokovic mentioned his general expertise in Australia had not been soured by what occurred in January. “What happened 12 months ago was not easy to digest for some time but at the same time I had to move on. Those circumstances will not replace what I experienced prior to it in Melbourne and Australia throughout my entire career. So I come with positive emotions and I really look forward to playing there. It’s been my favorite Grand Slam, the results prove that,” Djokovic mentioned.
