John McEnroe expects Novak Djokovic to push through ‘bitterness’ on return to Australia after deportation saga

Novak Djokovic returned to Australia to participate in the 2023 Australian Open after being deported from the country in 2022 due to his unvaccinated status


John McEnroe expects Novak Djokovic to push through ‘bitterness’ on return to Australia after deportation saga

Novak Djokovic and John McEnroe

John McEnroe recently said that he expects Novak Djokovic to feel bitterness on his return to Melbourne Park for the 2023 Australian Open but expects him to push through and perform at a high level. McEnroe said that Djokovic will have the deportation and subsequent three-year ban from Australia he was hit with before the 2022 edition in mind when he steps out onto the Rod Laver Arena.

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The ban got overturned, and Djokovic has been granted a visa for this year’s Australian Open. He has already been welcomed with open arms at the Adelaide International 2023. McEnroe commended Djokovic’s mental strength to get over the controversy last year and win the 2022 Wimbledon after this ordeal.

“I think he will be overjoyed at first, but then there is going to sort of be a bit of bitterness, I believe, and he has got to get through that. I think he can get through that, he’s obviously proven that he has gone through some unbelievably difficult obstacles, none more so than the last 12 months of his career,” McEnroe said.

The fact that he was still able to go out and win Wimbledon and go out and play these smaller events in the fall to get his ranking high enough so that he can go and win the event in Turin and the year-end event, and embrace playing and competing, was just incredible because it would have been very easy to be frustrated and angry,” the former US player added.

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Novak Djokovic has a brilliant record in Australia. The 21-time Grand Slam champion has won 102 matches in the country across the Australian Open, ATP Cup, and the Adelaide International. His last defeat in the country came in 2018. Djokovic has also won the previous three Australian Open tournaments he has participated in.

Djokovic will be eager to play in front of the Melbourne crowd again. He can further solidify his status as the most successful Australian Open player with a 10th title. His quest for that will begin on the 16th of January.

Related: Novak Djokovic matches Rafael Nadal’s career title tally with the Adelaide International win

Novak Djokovic wins Adelaide International

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic

Djokovic overcame American Sebastian Korda in the final of the Adelaide International to lift the ATP 250 title. The 6-7 7-6 6-4 victory was hard fought. But Djokovic, buoyed by the crowd support, won the marathon three-hour battle in the end.

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The World Number 5 has been brilliant throughout the tournament. He dropped just one set in the tournament and started his year with a 5-0-win-loss record. Djokovic won against Daniil Medvedev and Denis Shapovalov to get to this stage and now goes home with his 92nd ATP title.

The victory will give him great confidence. He will hope the positive momentum helps him in his quest for the Australian Open title.

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