As the Australian Open approaches, Novak Djokovic, one of the greatest tennis players of all time, has shared the lingering emotional impact of his 2022 deportation from Australia.
The former world No.1 admitted that the experience still evokes "trauma," even as he prepares to compete in the season's first Grand Slam event.
Djokovic's deportation stemmed from his refusal to disclose his COVID-19 vaccination status, which led to the Australian government cancelling his visa on “health and good order” grounds.
The Serbian tennis star spent five days confined to an immigration hotel before being deported, preventing him from participating in the tournament.
Reflecting on that period, Djokovic revealed to Melbourne’s Herald Sun that travelling to Australia still triggers uneasy feelings. He described feeling tense while passing through passport control, fearing a repeat of the experience.
The 37-year-old said, “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. And some traces still stay there when I’m passing passport control. Just checking out if someone from the immigration zone is approaching.”
Despite the distress, Djokovic holds no grudges over the ordeal. He returned to Melbourne the following year after COVID-19 restrictions eased and went on to claim his 10th Australian Open title.
Reflecting on that victory, he said, “I came right away the year after and I won. My parents and the 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.”
Winning the 2023 Australian Open marked Djokovic’s 22nd Grand Slam title, a moment he described as deeply emotional. It signified resilience and triumph after a tumultuous chapter in his career.
As Djokovic looks ahead to this year’s Australian Open, the stakes remain high. Currently ranked second in the world, the Serbian icon faces the challenge of maintaining his position among the elite. A failure to reach the semifinals could see him drop out of the top 10 rankings for the first time since 2019.
Adding to the anticipation is the fierce competition Djokovic will face from younger stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, both of whom are considered top contenders for the title.
The 20-year-old Alcaraz, the reigning US Open champion, and Sinner, a promising Italian player, are expected to bring their best to the hard-court tournament.
To bolster his chances, Djokovic recently added former player Andy Murray to his coaching team. The strategic move reflects his determination to regain his dominant form after a challenging period. Last year was his first Slam-less season in seven years, a rare setback for the tennis legend.
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