Novak Djokovic admits being held in detention and deported will stay with him forever, but he says it won't dampen his love affair with Australia
Djokovic is chasing his record-extending 10th Australian Open crown next month, an opportunity denied him at last summer’s event after he was found to have not met the COVID-19 vaccination requirements of the time., starting on January 2, after quietly arriving at Adelaide Airport on Tuesday night without anywhere near the fanfare or drama of a year ago.
“It’s something I’ve never experienced before and hopefully never again. What happened 12 months ago was not easy to digest for me for some time. But that event and those circumstances will not replace what I have lived in Melbourne and Australia throughout my career. While Djokovic’s resume on the tennis court speaks for itself, the court of public opinion hasn’t always been in his favour.
Famously super-fit, even at the age of 35, and not shy of motivation, Djokovic is the bookmakers’ favourite to make that happen.
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