‘I will NEVER forget’: Novak Djokovic says he’s still haunted by his five nights in a detention center as he returns to the Australian Open a year after his deportation scandal
- Novak Djokovic admits he will never forget his January deportation drama
- The Serb was arrested for entering Australia without a Covid vaccine
- He spent five nights in an Australian detention center before being deported
- Djokovic can play in Melbourne after his three-year visa ban was lifted
Novak Djokovic announced that the five nights he spent in an Australian detention center in January will stay with him for the rest of his life.
The Serb, who was arrested for entering the country without a Covid vaccination, is targeting a 10th singles Australian Open title in Melbourne next month and will only be able to play after his three-year visa ban was lifted.
Speaking for the first Grand Slam of 2023 for the first time since arriving Down Under, Djokovic said: “You cannot forget these events. It’s something I’ve never experienced before and hopefully never again, but it’s a valuable life experience for me and something that will stay there. But I have to keep going.’
Novak Djokovic has spoken about his experience of being held in an Australian detention center
Despite his immense trophy haul, the 35-year-old appeared nervous while speaking in South Australia. He’s here in the 40C to play at the Adelaide International, a warm-up for the Australian Open which starts on January 16th.
“I hope everything will be positive,” he added of his reception from the fans. “But it’s nothing I can predict.”
Nerves aside, his PR was exemplary. After beating his friend Vasek Pospisil for an hour, Djokovic addressed the press in court.
The questioning was gentle. Not once did the words “anti-vax” or “deportation” come out, either from the press or from the players. Djokovic ended up posing for a selfie with a boy who snuck in.
After entering Australia in January, Djokovic was detained for five nights without a Covid vaccination and was subsequently deported
“What happened to me 12 months ago was not easy for me, my family or my team,” he added. “It was disappointing to leave the country like this but I was really hoping to get permission to play in Australia. It’s a country where I’ve had tremendous support. I’ve always played my best tennis here.”
Djokovic, who would equate Rafael Nadal’s tally of 22 Grand Slam singles titles by landing the title in Melbourne, insisted January’s forced removal from Australia – which his father likened to the persecution of Jesus Christ – changed his view haven’t changed everyday Australians.
“Melbourne is close to my heart. What happened was not easy for me to digest but I had to keep going and these circumstances will not replace what I experienced in Melbourne and Australia. So I come in with positive emotions.’
The Serb was back on the court in Australia preparing to compete in the first Slam of 2023
Djokovic was one of the first to arrive in Adelaide this week. He will play only on Monday in an event with a strong field including Daniil Medvedev, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Andy Murray. He said: “The aim is to climax in Melbourne. Every major tournament is an opportunity to make history. I lack neither inspiration nor motivation.”
When asked what he would be doing in Adelaide, he said he would be “swimming in the sea” – which is not recommended as Adelaide is home to the great white shark – before quickly returning to tennis.
“I love tennis,” he added. “As long as I have the motivation and inspiration to play at the highest level, I will be here.”