Three years have passed since the infamous Australia visa saga but that doesn't that all wounds are healed as Novak Djokovic admits he still experiences "trauma" when he lands Down Under.
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In 2022 January, the Serbian tennis star flew to Melbourne unvaccinated but claimed that he was granted a special medical exemption to be allowed to play at the Australian Open.
But as soon as he landed in Melbourne, he was detained by the authorities - his visa was canceled - and he was put up in an immigration center for five days.
After his appeal was unsuccessful, Djokovic was deported from Australia and denied competing at the Australian Open.
The whole saga lasted 10 days.
Djokovic: I had a bit of trauma from three years ago...
"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," the 37-year-old told the Herald Sun.
"And some traces still stay there when I'm passing passport control, just checking out if someone from immigration zone is approaching.
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"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."
After the COVID restrictions were relaxed, Djokovic returned to the Australian Open in 2023 and won his record 10th title at Melbourne Park.
"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," he added.
Last year, the former world No. 1 made the Australian Open semifinal before losing to Jannik Sinner.
This year, Djokovic started his season with a quarterfinal showing in Brisbane and now he is in Melbourne preparing for the Happy Slam.
