Novak Djokovic has a special relationship with Australia, having won the Australian Open ten times and having written memorable pages of tennis history on the iconic Rod Laver Arena. However, fans remember well how the events of 2022 seriously risked damaging the deep bond that had been created up to that point.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Serbian legend had not been vaccinated against COVID-19, had left for Australia before the start of the tournament, but had been detained by local authorities upon her arrival in Melbourne. From that moment, a long soap opera had begun that had transcended the boundaries of tennis, until Nole had been sent home and had not been able to participate in that edition of the AO.
That bad story still represents an open wound for the 24-time Grand Slam champion, who has never held a grudge against Australia. The former world No. 1 regularly returned for the 2023 edition, in which he won his tenth title by defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final.
The 37-year-old from Belgrade is chasing his 11th 'Down Under' trophy this year and hopes to play his best tennis from the first rounds. The current world number 7 does not have an easy draw and could face Carlos Alcaraz already in the quarterfinals.
ADVERTISEMENT
Djokovic recallshis deportation
In a long interview with 'GQ' before the tournament began, Djokovic recalled his deportation in 2022 and all the related events: My stance is exactly the same today as it was a few years ago. Im not pro-vaccine. Im not anti-vax. I am pro-freedom to choose what is right for you and your body.
And still even today, 99 percent of the people dont know why I have been deported from Australia. On what basis. People think that Ive been deported from Australia because I havent taken the vaccine. That I was unvaccinated and I tried to kind of force my way into Australia, which is completely untrue.
