“Cannot forget,” Novak Djokovic still recovering from deportation fiasco but holds no malice against Australia


“Cannot forget,” Novak Djokovic still recovering from deportation fiasco but holds no malice against Australia

Novak Djokovic

Life has come full circle for Novak Djokovic. Having been deported out of Australia on 16th January 2022, the Serb was welcomed back a couple of days ago. The 21-time Grand Slam champion was initially banned for 3 years but the decision was reversed. It’s no secret that he was a political tool of the Scott Morrison government.

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Following his deportation, even the Morrison government was shown the exit as the ruling party. Anthony Albanese has assumed the Prime Minister’s office since May and he did not waste much time in clearing Djokovic to re-enter. Australia had been criticized a lot for how the situation was handled. Albanese however has done some damage control as the 9-time Australian Open is back in the country.

As Djokovic prepares for the upcoming 2023 Adelaide International, the press got hold of him during his practice. No wonder, he was asked about the entire deportation episode and the Serb was gracious in dealing with the question. While he did not sugarcoat in saying that he was not affected, he rather won hearts by saying he holds no grudge.

“You cannot forget these events. It’s one of those things that sticks with you and stays with you for the rest of your life. It’s something I’ve never experienced before and hopefully never again. What happened 12 months ago was not easy for me to digest for a while. But this event and these circumstances will not replace what I have experienced in Melbourne and Australia throughout my career. 

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“I come with positive emotions. Melbourne is absolutely close to my heart. The Australian Open is my favorite Grand Slam tournament and the results have proven it,” said Djokovic during his press conference.

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Novak Djokovic unbeaten for 3 years at the Australian Open

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic with his 2021 Australian Open title

The Australian Open has always remained special for Novak Djokovic. He won his first-ever Grand Slam title in 2008 at Melbourne Park. Following the 2011 win, he backed it up with a sensational win over Rafael Nadal in the 2012 Australian Open Finals. The match went on for 5 hours and 53 minutes before Djokovic came out on the top in what remains the longest Grand Slam finals.

Djokovic won his third title on the trot in 2013 and added two more in 2015 and 2016. He failed to reach the quarter-finals in 2017 (2nd round) and 2018 (4th round). At the 2019 Australian Open, he exploded clinching the title dropping only two sets. In the finals, he beat Nadal in straight-sets, the only time the Spaniard lost a major final in straight-sets. The 2019 title also saw Djokovic eclipse Roger Federer for most Australian Open titles as he won his 7th at the major.

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He made successful title defenses in 2020 and 2021 to take his Australian Open titles tally to 9. Going into the 2023 Australian Open, he will be on a 21-match unbeaten streak at his favorite hunting ground making him one of the title favorites at the major.

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