Tennis followers erupted in uproarious cheers when Novak Djokovic stepped onto the court docket on the Adelaide International on Monday, marking his first match in Australia in nearly two years making a uncommon doubles look.
Playing with Canada’s Vasek Pospisil, they misplaced to doubles specialists Tomislav Brkic and Gonzalo Escobar 4-6, 6-3, 10/5 however loved overwhelming crowd help alongside the best way.
The Serbian famous person was deported from the nation earlier than the 2022 Australian Open for not being vaccinated for COVID-19 and was subsequently barred from re-entering for 3 years.
But the ban was lifted in November and he will likely be trying to win a tenth Australian Open title later this month.
The match was performed on a packed outdoors court docket, with the spectators who managed to get in firmly behind Djokovic.
He walked out to loud cheers and followers chanting “Novak, Novak.”
While there have been loads of Serbian flags courtside, it grew to become apparent that everybody was barracking for the 35-year-old, who stayed behind to signal autographs and pose for selfies after the match.
Djokovic will now concentrate on his first singles of the yr, towards Frenchman Constant Lestienne.
