Australian Open director Craig Tiley ‘focused on the reception of Novak Djokovic’ as the Serb returns to the tournament in 2023
Australian Open director Craig Tiley says that he is looking forward to return and reception of Novak Djokovic next week. in Australia.
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Novak Djokovic (Image: ATP Tour)
The nine-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic is set to make a return to the Australian Open 2023. Djokovic missed the event last year due to his unvaccinated status and was forced disgracefully to leave Australia just a day before the start of the event. This year Djokovic will be looking to leave all that drama behind and extend his record tally in Melbourne.
Responding to the news of the Serb’s return, Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said that he is ready to receive him next week. Tiley talked about the sorry saga of last year. He also touched upon what has changed this year.
“We are focused on Djokovic’s return and reception, as he arrives next week. He will play an event in Adelaide, then he will play the Australian Open.” Australian Open’s Director Craig Tiley said speaking to the Times of India.
“He plays the best tennis and he will be the favorite in the run. He is popular in Australia, and he has a large fan base,” Tiley added while praising Djokovic.
The Director pointed out that it had been a difficult couple of years for the tournament and also reflected on the disgraceful deportation of Djokovic last year, just a day before the start of the event. “That situation, would we have preferred for it not to happen? Absolutely. We would’ve preferred for it not to happen. Did we do everything we could’ve possibly done at the time? Yes, we did,” Tiley said with some disappointment.
Novak Djokovic and his love for the Australian Open
The Australian Open is barely three weeks away and the tennis pundits have started picking their favorites. Despite their different opinions, Serbian star Novak Djokovic remains the overwhelming favorite in the first Grand Slam of the season. Djokovic too looks set to leave the drama of last year behind.
Djokovic’s love for the tournament is not hidden from anyone. He has won the tournament 9 times, more than anyone. This year he would like to take it to two digits in Melbourne Park and level with Rafael Nadal in the total Grand Slams tally.
The Serbian will start the season at Adelaide International so he will be in Australia for a few weeks before the Open starts. That will give Djokovic time to get all the stress and tension of last year out and start afresh. Defending champion Rafael Nadal and world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz will be the biggest obstacles in Djokovic’s path.
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