“King is back” – Fans go berserk as Novak Djokovic hits the courts in Australia

“King is back” – Fans go berserk as Novak Djokovic hits the courts in Australia

Novak Djokovic playing at the Australian Open 2021 (Image Credit: Fox Sports)

The Australian Open is going to start in less than three weeks. But the arrival of tennis superstars has begun. Novak Djokovic is Down Under after 11 months, after a sensational deportation from Melbourne in January 2022. He will start his 2023 season by participating in the Adelaide International 1 tournament. This competition will be played in Adelaide from January 1 to 8.

The Adelaide International 1 tournament is considered by tennis players as a perfect preparation for the Australian Open. The first Grand Slam of this season starts on January 16, and ends on January 29. More than the tournament, the arrival of the 21-time Grand Slam winner on Australian soil has grabbed media spotlight.

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The Australian Open confirmed the news of the Serb’s arrival today. It shared some photographs of Novak Djokovic practicing in Adelaide. “Ready for the summer of tennis. @DjokerNole has arrived in Adelaide and kicked off his first practice session,” the caption read.

All eyes will be on Novak Djokovic as he tries to win the Australian Open title for a record tenth time in his career.

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Social media is ready to watch Novak Djokovic play in Australia

Novak Djokovic (Image: ATP Tour)

If Rafael Nadal is called the ‘King of Clay’ and Roger Federer extended his domination at Wimbledon for a long time, Novak Djokovic, too, has his favorite hunting ground — the Australian Open. The Serb has won the AO a record nine times. The last time he won was in 2021, whipping Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 to clinch the title.

He did come back to Australia to defend his title in January 2022. However, he was deported just one day before the start of the Slam. It was alleged he lied to authorities about his vaccination status against Covid-19. Soon, a furore kicked up and his visa was cancelled, leading to deportation. Social media and mainstream media continued to dissect the incident for the rest of the season.

With dust having settled on the case, Djokovic is eating to go at the AO. The Federal Government of Australia cleared Novak Djokovic’s participation in October. Social media is very excited to have the nine-time Australian Open champion back. Many social media users are sharing their joy. Here are a few reactions coming in

https://twitter.com/bishalc004/status/1607978881805586432
https://twitter.com/IsmaeelFarrukh/status/1607974898990727168
https://twitter.com/SayazMohammed1/status/1607989468820307968

Many things have changed in his absence from the Australian Open. Rafael Nadal took the 2022 Australian Open title. New stars also arrived on the scene. Nick Kyrgios is a crowd-favorite to win the title. Carlos Alcaraz has won his first Grand Slam title and he, too, would be ready to add another one to his tally. Hence, this year’s Australian Open tournament may not be that easy for Novak Djokovic.

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