Djokovic: I feel the trauma of being deported when I’m in Australia

Novak Đoković (37) admitted that he is haunted by the ghosts of the past when he lands in Australia. Let us remind you that Đokovic’s visa was canceled in Australia in 2022 and he was deported from Melbourne ahead of the Australian Open (AO) because he was not vaccinated against the coronavirus. A year later, he returned to Australia and won the AO for the tenth anniversary, and last year the Serbian tennisč lost in the final to the best tennis player in the world, Jannik Sinner.

Đović is moreć some time in Australia, as part of the preparations for the first Grand Slam of the season, he played a tournament in Brisbane, where he lost moreć in the quarterfinals. He strongly wants to open the year with a jubilee, even 25th Grand Slam title, and before the campaign for Sinner’s title, ‘Nole’ opened his soul in an interview with the Herald Sun.

Photo: Claudia Greco

– I felt trauma the last few times when I came to Australia. Some memories remain when passing through passport control. I always keep a close eye on whether there is anyone from the immigration office. I wonder if they will detain me again or arrest me while they examine my personal documents – said the legendary tennis player.

Č many times during his playing career Đković pointed out that he loves to play tennis in Australia, and in 2019 he donated 25,000 dollars for victims of large fires. Now he says that he did not resent Australia for the deportation.

Photo: Eduardo Munoz

– I don’t feel any hatred or hold any grudges – he said, then remembered the title from 2023.

– Then my whole team and parents were in Melbourne. That victory was one of the most emotional in my career, considering the events of the previous year – concluded Đoković.