Former world No.1 Novak Djokovic has been spotted in Australia for the first time since his deportation last January, hitting the practice court in Adelaide on Wednesday ahead of his first event for 2023.
Chasing a remarkable 10th Australian Open crown and in hot pursuit of Rafael Nadal’s 22 major titles, the Serbian will fine-tune his preparations for Melbourne Park with the ATP 250 hardcourt event in South Australia, which begins on Sunday.
Novak Djokovic.Credit:Getty Images
Australian Open boss Craig Tiley flagged the Serbian’s imminent arrival in Adelaide at a press conference on Tuesday.
“I think again he’s going to be the player to beat,” Tiley said of Djokovic.
The Australian tennis summer swings into gear this week with the start of the mixed-gender United Cup on Thursday. But Djokovic opted for a conventional singles preparation at the Adelaide International. Other top players, such as Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev, will also be in South Australia.
In Djokovic’s absence at Melbourne Park in 2022, Nadal overcame both the odds and physical battles to break clear of Djokovic and Roger Federer on the grand slam ladder.
At the next grand slam event at his cherished Roland-Garros, Nadal won again, securing his 22nd major title.
Djokovic is expected to speak this week about his return to Australia following last January’s prolonged visa saga, in which he was deported on eve of the Australian Open.
He flew directly into Adelaide on Tuesday night from the Middle East.
Djokovic’s presence in Adelaide also marks his first return to South Australia since 2021 when he and other leading international players completed hotel quarantine there while the vast bulk of the travelling tennis fraternity were holed up in Melbourne accommodation with limited chances to practice before that year’s Australian Open.
Novak Djokovic hits the courts in Adelaide.Credit:Getty Images
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