“Many masks have fallen” Novak Djokovic opens up on countless betrayals across controversy-ridden 2022 season
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Former World No.1 Novak Djokovic has had a particularly tough season in 2022 despite some successes. Firstly, he was booted out of Australia for his anti-vaccination stance despite first being allowed carrying an exemption from Tennis Australia to participate in the opening Grand Slam of the year in Melbourne.
Later, the Serb had to pull out from the US Open because of a similar vaccination criteria that he was unable to fulfill due to personal reasons. Now, Djokovic has opened up on the ordeal in an interview to Sportal saying many masks have fallen and he is learning how to deal with those kind of people better from hereon.
“It was a very interesting year, peculiar,” Djokovic told the Serbian media outlet. “I always strive to draw positive things from whatever the experience is, that is part of my character and my approach to life. I know that everything that happened in Australia and afterwards – the way people have treated me, which did not feel nice and it is something I have never experienced before in my life – has helped me to learn some valuable lessons. Lessons about myself, about life and about the way I should move on in this world, especially in the tennis ecosystem.”
“Many masks have fallen, so to say – throughout this process, it was interesting for me to observe the way some people behaved towards me this year. I keep going, motivated and inspired,” he added. “I love this sport, I love giving it my all in every practice because every day is different, and there is always some sort of excitement, some sort of unknown, it is a challenge. The young guns are coming, they are hungry for success, so that is something that gives me extra motivation as well.”
Novak Djokovic says there are positive signs from conversations between his lawyers and Australian authorities that he cannot yet speak about
Having been debarred from entering Australia for three years, Djokovic also opened up on his chances of a return at the 2023 Australian Open in the same interview, revealing that his lawyers are having conversations directly with Australian Open authorities, and that while there are positive aspects to it, he can’t speak about it yet.
“When it comes to Australia, there are some positive signs, but unofficially,” the 35-year-old said. “We are communicating through my lawyers in Australia. In fact, they are communicating with the authorities in charge of my case. I hope to have an answer in the next few weeks – whatever that answer might be, but of course I am hoping for a positive one – so that I have enough time to prepare for the start of the season, if that start is going to happen in Australia.”
“I really want to go there, I am over what happened this year and I just want to play tennis, it is what I do best. Australia has always been the place where I have played my best tennis, the results speak for themselves, so I am always extra motivated to go there. This time even more, so. I am hoping for a positive answer,” added Djokovic.
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Ashish Maggo
(191 Articles Published)