Australian Open: Djokovic Still Experiences 'Trauma' from Deportation
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Melbourne, Jan 6 (NationPress) With the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the season, set to commence next week, former world No.1 Novak Djokovic has disclosed that he still experiences trauma when recalling his deportation from Australia in 2022 linked to his refusal to disclose his Covid vaccination status from three years prior.
Djokovic was unable to participate in the 2022 Grand Slam event in Melbourne due to his unvaccinated status, leading to the cancellation of his visa by the Australian government on grounds of health and good order. He spent five days in an immigration facility while attempting to overturn the decision before being deported, which resulted in him missing the hard-court tournament.
"The last couple of times I landed in Australia, going through passport control and immigration - I felt a bit of trauma from three years ago," Djokovic told Melbourne's Herald Sun.
"Some lingering feelings remain when I am at passport control, just wondering if someone from the immigration area is approaching. The person checking my passport - are they going to detain me again, or will I be allowed to go? I must admit I still feel that way.
"I don’t harbor any resentment. I returned immediately the following year and I won. My parents and the entire team were present, and it was one of the most emotional victories I have ever experienced, given all that I had endured the previous year," he added.
Djokovic made his comeback to Melbourne the following year after Covid-19 restrictions were eased and secured his 10th Australian Open title. "I came back the subsequent year in 2023…and I won the Australian Open - it was my 22nd Slam. My parents and my whole team were there, and it was truly one of the most emotional wins I’ve ever had considering all that I’d gone through the year before," said the 37-year-old Serbian.
Last year proved to be disappointing for Djokovic by his standards, marking his first Slam-less season in seven years. To enhance his performance, he has recently incorporated former player Andy Murray into his coaching staff, who will accompany him for the upcoming Grand Slam event.
If Djokovic does not reach the semifinals, he risks falling out of the top 10 rankings for the first time since 2019. As a ten-time Australian Open champion, he faces formidable competition from emerging talents Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who are seen as his primary challengers in the tournament.
