21-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic says he has no hard feelings about his deportation from Australia earlier this year but admits the incident is something he will never forget.
Almost 12 months ago the former world No.1 was involved in a dramatic legal battle with Australian authorities over the legitimacy of his visa. Djokovic said he was informed he would be able to enter the country via a medical exemption despite not being vaccinated against COVID-19. However, the border force deemed that reason invalid which paved the way for two court hearings within the space of a week with the tennis star briefly having to stay in a government detention facility.
Djokovic won his first legal battle which ruled in his favour regarding how the process of his detention was managed. However, a second heading that took place at the High Court sided with the government whose immigration minister at the time decided to deport Djokovic which also triggered a three-year ban from re-entry.
Since then, the Serbian has been allowed back to Australia after the latest administration decided to waive the three-year ban. Furthermore, those arriving in Australia no longer need to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
“Obviously what happened twelve months ago was not easy for me, for my family, team, anybody who is close to me. It’s obviously disappointing to leave the country like that,” Djokovic told reporters in Adelaide on Thursday.
“You can’t forget those events.
“It’s one of these things that stays with you for I guess the rest of your life. It’s something that I’ve never experienced before and hopefully never again.
“But it is a valuable life experience for me and something that as I said will stay there but I have to move on.
“Coming back to Australia speaks to how I feel about this country, how I feel about playing here.”
Admitting he is unsure about what reception he will receive from the public, Djokovic is aiming to resume his dominance at the upcoming Australian Open. He has won the Grand Slam men’s title a record nine times, including the past three editions he has played (2019-2021).
“It’s great to be back in Australia,” he said.
“It’s a country where I’ve had tremendous success in my career, particularly in Melbourne. It’s by far my most successful grand slam.
“I’m hoping that everything is going to be positive. Obviously (fan reaction) is not something that I can predict.
“I’ll do my best to play good tennis and bring good emotions and good feelings to the crowd.”
Australia wasn’t the only country he was prevented from playing in due to their vaccination rules. He also missed a series of North American Masters 1000 events, as well as the US Open. Despite this, he still managed to finish the season as No.5 in the world which is even more impressive considering Wimbledon awarded no points.
Djokovic will start his 2023 season in Adelaide at a 250 event next week. Felix Auger-Aliassime and Daniil Medvedev are also participating.
“It’s really not a 250 event, it seems like it’s a 500 event or maybe even a 1000. Some of the best players in the world are playing here,” he commented on playing in Adelaide.
Should Djokovic win the Australian Open next month he will draw level with Rafael Nadal for most Grand Slam singles titles ever won by a male player at 22.
