Novak Djokovic admits the harrowing experience of being held in a detention centre and deported in January will stay with him for as long as he lives but will never override his long-time 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.
Djokovic will tune up for the first major of 2023 by participating in the Adelaide International, starting on January 2, after quietly arriving at Adelaide Airport on Tuesday night without anywhere near the fanfare or drama of a year ago.
“You can’t forget those events,” Djokovic told reporters at Memorial Drive in a wide-ranging press conference on Thursday. “It’s one of those things that sticks with you and stays with you for the rest of your life.
“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.
“I come with positive emotions. It [Melbourne] absolutely is close to my heart … it [the Australian Open] is my favourite slam and the results are proven.″
Novak Djokovic talks to the media after a practice session in Adelaide on Thursday.Credit:Getty Images
While Djokovic’s resume on the tennis court speaks for itself, the court of public opinion hasn’t always been in his favour.
A Resolve poll published in January found that more than 70 per cent of respondents wanted Djokovic to be deported, while the decision by the newly elected Labor government to overturn his three-year visa ban in November wasn’t met with universal approval.
Famously super-fit, even at the age of 35, and not shy of motivation, Djokovic is the bookmakers’ favourite to make that happen.
“The goal is to peak in Melbourne – that’s where I want to play my best,” he said. “At this stage of my career, with all the achievements, every big tournament win is a possibility to make more history.
“Of course that’s very humbling for me and also a big challenge. I don’t lack inspiration and motivation to play my best.”
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