Djokovic says no hard feelings over Australian deportation

ADELAIDE, Australia — (AP) — Novak Djokovic has reiterated his earlier feedback that he bears no laborious emotions on his return to Australia after his visa cancellation and subsequent deportation in January forward of the Australian Open tennis event.

Djokovic was deported virtually 12 months in the past after arriving unvaccinated in opposition to COVID-19 at a time when the nation was nonetheless topic to strict quarantine rules and proof of vaccination.

These rules have since been lifted and in November, the Australian authorities overturned the three-year ban that got here with Djokovic’s deportation and granted him a visa to return for the Australian Open starting Jan. 16.

Djokovic arrived again in Australia on Tuesday forward of the Adelaide Worldwide, the place he’s scheduled to play subsequent week.

“It’s nice to be again in Australia,” he mentioned Thursday. “It’s a rustic the place I’ve had great success in my profession, notably in Melbourne. It’s by far my most profitable Grand Slam. I’m hoping that the whole lot goes to be constructive. Clearly (fan response) just isn’t one thing that I can predict.

“I’ll do my finest to play good tennis and produce good feelings and good emotions to the group.”

Djokovic mentioned he nonetheless has issue forgetting his deportation.

“Clearly what occurred 12 months in the past was not simple for me, for my household, staff, anyone who’s near me. It’s clearly disappointing to depart the nation like that,” he mentioned.

“You may’t overlook these occasions. It’s one among this stuff that stays with you for I assume the remainder of your life. It’s one thing that I’ve by no means skilled earlier than and hopefully by no means once more. However it’s a beneficial life expertise for me and one thing that as I mentioned will keep there, however I’ve to maneuver on.”

Djokovic has gained the Australian Open a document 9 occasions, together with the final thrice he performed. Rafael Nadal gained the 2022 title in Djokovic’s absence.

___

Extra AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Copyright 2022 The Related Press. All rights reserved. This materials is probably not revealed, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed with out permission.