Novak Djokovic has revealed that he still feels ‘trauma’ when entering Australian after his COVID deportation back in 2021.
It was in 2021 when Djokovic had his Australian Open dreams taken away from him as he was detained at Melbourne airport and was held in an arranged hotel after he entered the country unvaccinated.
The ruling then came that Djokovic had to fly back to Europe and would not be allowed to play the Australian Open.
However the Serb had the last laugh when he won the event 12 months later and continued his incredible streak in Melbourne.
Speaking to the Herald Sun, Djokovic has admitted he still feels ‘trauma’ whenever he enters Australia and described his title win in 2022 as one of the most emotional of his career, “The last couple of times I landed in Australia, to go through passport control and immigration – I had a bit of trauma from three years ago,” Djokovic was quoted by the BBC as saying.
“And some traces still stay there when I’m passing passport control, just checking out if someone from immigration zone is approaching. The person checking my passport – are they going to take me, detain me again or let me go? I must admit I have that feeling.
“I don’t hold a grudge. I came right away the year after and I won. My parents and whole team were there and it was actually one of the most emotional wins I’ve ever had, considering all that I’d been through the year before.”
Djokovic will now bid to win an eleventh Australian Open title when he competes in Melbourne as well as winning a 25th Grand Slam title.
The Australian Open begins on Sunday with the draw taking place on Thursday.
