12 months after his refusal to be vaccinated for Covid-19 saw him deported from Australia, Novak Djokovic is back at the Australian Open in the hunt for a tenth title – and the chance to equal Rafael Nadal’s men’s record of 22 Grand Slam singles titles.
And it’s fair to say he’s happy to be back.
His first taste of action in Melbourne came on Friday night, where was all smiles as he faced off with Nick Kyrgios in a charity event.
On Saturday, he told media: “I was very emotional honestly coming into the court because, as I said on the on-court interview, with the reception that I received, I didn’t know how that’s going to go like after events of last year. I’m very grateful for the kind of energy and reception, love and support I got last night.”
He was immediately asked about an interview with 9 News recently where he said: “I was really drawn into a storm in media worldwide that was related to anything to do with Covid and the vaccine.
“All of a sudden I became the villain of the world which is obviously a terrible position to be in as an athlete.”
He added that: “The media has picked on me big time for several months and not in a positive note.”
But the Serbian superstar today walked back those claims, saying he no longer feels like he is portrayed by media as ‘the villain of the world’.
“No, I don’t (feel that way). It was more specific, you know, probably towards some media that did portray me this way. That’s in the past now. I don’t feel anything similar this year.”
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Djokovic was then asked how he moved on from the experience, saying: “Well, you have to. I mean, in a way, if I do hold the grudges, probably if I’m not able to move on, I wouldn’t be here.
“Also, I have to say that the amount of positive experiences I had in Australia overwhelm the negative experience maybe of last year.
“My impression of Australia, my vision of Australia, has always been very positive, and that has reflected on my performance. My results are a testament to how you feel here.
“I was really looking forward to come back and play tennis because that’s ultimately what I do best, what I always wanted to do, what I wanted to do last year. I’m really looking forward to play in front of the people and hopefully bring them some good fun and good vibes.”
Djokovic joked that he hadn’t asked his fellow players how they felt about his return (but “the ones I spoke to have been really supportive”) – and it’s clear from his rivals that they’re happy to see the world number five back at the season’s first Grand Slam.
Stefanos Tsitsipas said Saturday: “I think it’s good for his fans that he’s back, he’s able to play this year at the Australian Open. He’s one of the strongest players on the field. He’s still got it. He can still play. He can still go deep in the tournament. He played well, very well, in Adelaide. He had some good matches there. It’s up to us to do something about it and to stop him.”
Australia’s Alex de Minaur said: “I think as a tennis player and looking as a competitor, it’s great to have him at the tournament ’cause ultimately, at any event you’re playing, you want to be playing against the best. You don’t want to be winning a tournament or winning matches when you’re not playing against the best ‘cause it takes away the merit. I think it’s great to see him back here. He’s had a great welcoming in Australia. It’s great to see.”
In Spanish, Nadal declared Djokovic the firm favourite for the title.
“Djokovic seems to be very well prepared,” he said. “He got great results at the end of the year, he has also started the year winning. It is a tournament that has always been good to him.
“If we talk about favourites, on Saturday before the start of the tournament, there is no doubt that he is the top favourite to win the title.
“But tournaments are not won on the Saturday before, you have to work for two weeks, although he has shown that he knows how to do it very well.
“If he wins, we will congratulate him, he will have done something historic (22 slams) and that’s it. My life is not going to change.”
Djokovic revealed he was still struggling with a hamstring injury that hampered him last week.
“Well, I’ve been struggling with that a bit, to be honest, the last seven days. But it’s hopefully not the major concern. So far I’ve been able to train, compete and play points, practice sets. So that’s a positive sign.
“Obviously, I’m being a bit more cautious. I’m not going full out on the training sessions, conserving the energy for next week. Hopefully it won’t cause an issue for me then.”
But he delivered a scary warning to the rest of the field, declaring “I like my chances” of adding to his record nine Aus Open titles.
“I’m in a very good shape,” he said. “I ended the year in the best possible way, and continued that form in Adelaide.
“I like the way I played there. I beat some really good players, especially in the last few matches of the tournament.
“I like my chances. I always like my chances.”
Tennis boss warns crowd to lay off Novak | 03:28
