From ecstasy to agony and agony again: Novak Djokovic’s complex return to Australia

Novak Djokovic returned to Australia, battling past memories of his 2022 deportation, media criticism, and injury, before bowing out of the Australian Open due to a torn hamstring.

From ecstasy to agony and agony again: Novak Djokovic’s complex return to Australia

Novak Djokovic (Image via X)

Novak Djokovic left the winter of Europe and landed in the Summer of Australia shortly before the new year.

Djokovic arrived earlier in Australia than he usually does, the country that he has often said has given him so many good memories and so much success. He is the record-breaking 10 time winner of the Australian Open.

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This time, Djokovic had his wife and children with him. Jelena, his wife, has been a constant source of support and love for Djokovic and has been by his side through thick and thin. A successful philanthropist in her own right and a doting wife and mother to their two beautiful children, Stefan (10) and Tara (7).

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Djokovic spoke of the trauma that he still feels when landing in Australia. He was referring, of course, to the time when he was shockingly deported in 2022. Having won a court case which confirmed that he was lawfully in the country.

The government, in order to deport him, had to use a law usually only reserved for dangerous criminals as they felt that he could stoke anti vaccine sentiment in Australia; this is despite reports saying over 90% of eligible Australians had been vaccinated. Djokovic had also never said he was actually opposed to the Covid vaccine, merely stating that everyone should have their freedom of choice for any medical related decision.

Starting this year’s Australian Open, he was facing a lot of question marks about his form, fitness and desire after his 2024 season did not bring him any Grand Slams. It did, however, bring him the only title he was missing in his illustrious career: the Olympic Gold Medal.

Despite a couple of sets lost in the first couple of rounds, it was clear that Djokovic was not only motivated but already playing at a high level. Did this cause some resentment in the Australian media, who had applied a lot of public pressure to get him deported back in 2022?

Some hate pieces started to do the rounds and then Djokovic’s attention was brought to Channel 9 (the host media provider), Tony Jones who was caught mocking the Serbian fans as well as disrespecting Djokovic, calling him overrated, a “has been” and to go back home. After what Djokovic had to endure from the Australian media in 2022, he wasn’t prepared to accept it this time and snubbed an on court interview with Channel 9s Jim Courier.

A media storm ensued, but this time Djokovic took the matter directly to X where he posted why he snubbed the interview, the post went viral with a staggering 88 million views. The media could no longer manipulate the information and the post garnered global support from celebrities such as Elon Musk, Piers Morgan, many tennis players and other sports people like the former England Cricket Captain Kevin Pietersen.

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The likelihood was this support would not please some of the establishment media who for many years have pushed a false narrative that Djokovic is not liked and not popular, which the higher ticket prices for his matches, the amazing love and support from the fans did not evidence.

Novak Djokovic’s ‘injury’ was indeed real

Djokovic got an apology from Tony Jones. The Serb doesn’t crave love or attention, but simply some respect. He continued getting amazing receptions from the crowd and put in high-level performances against Top 30 players Tomas Machac and Jiri Lehecka. This set up the mouthwatering quarterfinal with Carlos Alcaraz.

Djokovic went into the match as the bookmakers outsider to beat Alcaraz who at the age of 21 is already a four time Grand Slam champion. However, Djokovic rolled back the years and put in a vintage performance and beat Alcaraz relatively comfortably in 4 sets.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (via X)

During the course of the match, Djokovic grimaced in immense pain and had to call for a physio for treatment on his leg, it looked as though he was in a lot of trouble and advised the media that he was close to retiring in the match. However, a mixture of pain killers and adrenaline got him through it.

It was arguably the match of the Australian open, with high levels of performance from both players and a match of immense suspense and excitement. However, the media decided to focus on casting aspersions on Djokovic’s character again and he was accused of feigning the injury to distract Alcaraz.

All of these claims were unfounded and in the semi final Djokovic had to unfortunately retire from his match against Alexander Zverev after just one set. Djokovic had indeed injured himself in the last match and confirmed he had a significant hamstring tear. The fact that he even made it onto court was a mark of immense bravery.

Despite this, a section of the fans booed Djokovic, some of whom wanted to see a longer match but some of them listened to the false narratives pushed about him, feigning injuries and creating unnecessary drama.

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Djokovic remains the most decorated tennis player at the Australian Open, he held a charity evening in the lead up to the event; he donated generously to the Australian Bush Fire disaster in 2020 and continues to be a key support to a number of players on the tour. Alexander Zverev, the Australian Open finalist, said whenever he was at his lowest mentally, Djokovic was there for him.

Some Australians may listen to their media and think he is a villain, but he is a hero not just on the court but off the court too, and Australia has been lucky to be graced with such an amazing champion.