Novak Djokovic insists there aren’t any onerous emotions on his return to Australia – however he cannot assure he’ll ever fully transfer previous the saga that torpedoed his 2022 Australian Open hopes.
Djokovic was deported from Melbourne amid a media and fan storm nearly 12 months in the past after a visa dispute over his COVID-19 vaccination standing – at a time when Australia was nonetheless topic to strict biosecurity rules.
“It is a type of issues that sticks with you, stays with you for, I assume, the remainder of your life,” he mentioned on Thursday in Adelaide, in his first public statements in Australia since his controversial deportation.
“[It’s] one thing that I’ve by no means skilled earlier than and hopefully by no means once more.
“However it’s a worthwhile life expertise for me and one thing that, as I mentioned, will keep there, however I’ve to maneuver on.
“Coming again to Australia speaks [to] how I really feel about this nation, how I really feel about enjoying right here.”
Australia’s vaccine rules have since been lifted.
In November, the federal authorities overturned the three-year ban that got here with Djokovic’s deportation and granted him a visa to return for the summer season of tennis.
The world No.5 touched down in Australia on Tuesday forward of the Adelaide Worldwide, the place he’ll limber up for his return to Melbourne Park.
On Thursday afternoon, he confronted the media for the primary time since that ignominious exit.
Earlier on Thursday, Australian Open boss Craig Tiley said Djokovic was “concerned” about how the Melbourne crowds would react, a year after his detention and deportation.
“We have spoken about [a possible negative crowd reaction] and he, as any athlete, would be concerned about it,” Tiley said.
“But it’s one thing that he’s just doing the best that he can as a player. There’s a great deal of respect for him as a player, as an athlete, and what he’s achieved in the game and continues to achieve.
“And I think the Australian public and community appreciate that.”
Later on Thursday, Djokovic said he was ready to rekindle his love affair with the country on his quest for a 10th Australian Open title and had so far been welcomed with open arms.
“It’s great to be back in Australia,” he said.
“It’s a country where I’ve had tremendous success in my career, particularly in Melbourne. It’s by far my most successful grand slam.
“I’m hoping that everything is going to be positive. Obviously [fan reaction] is not something that I can predict.
“I’ll do my best to play good tennis and bring good emotions and good feelings to the crowd.”
Djokovic said the fact he had returned to Australia proved he held no grudges. But he admitted that, while he could forgive, it would be hard to ever forget his deportation.
“Obviously what happened 12 months ago was not easy for me, for my family, team, anyone who is close to me. It’s obviously disappointing to leave the country like that,” he said.
“You can’t forget those events.
“It’s one of these things that stays with you for I guess the rest of your life.”
Djokovic will be looking for a record-extending 10th Australian Open singles title when he turns up at Melbourne Park in just over a fortnight.
To do so, he will likely have to get past arch rival Rafael Nadal.
The Spaniard, who is Melbourne grand slam’s defending champion, described Djokovic’s return to Australia as “good for tennis” this week.
“Novak is here.” Good for tennis, good probably for the fans. Best players on court, always better,” he said on Wednesday.
Nadal is in Sydney, playing for Spain in the United Cup, the new Australian-based mixed team tournament that kicks off the 2023 ATP and WTA tours.
“The highest motivation to try to start well. It’s always important to start well for me, for the confidence,” he said.
“The last few months haven’t been easy for me. The main thing for me now is to recover the positive feelings on court, being competitive. I hope so. I am ready to make that happen, but let’s see.”
Djokovic beat Adelaide over the United Cup.
“I chose Adelaide because I wanted to get a tournament ahead of the Australian Open and I thought the Union (sic) Cup was a bit too early for me,” he said.
“I just wanted a normal 250 event.”
The Adelaide International begins on New Year’s Day.
It will also play host to top-10 players Felix Auger-Aliassime, Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev.
“It’s really not a 250 event, it seems like it’s a 500 event or maybe even a 1000. Some of the best players in the world are playing here,” Djokovic said.
The United Cup began in Sydney on Thursday night with a match between Alex de Minaur and Britain’s Cameron Norrie.
De Minaur was promoted to Australia’s top seed after Nick Kyrgios withdrew, citing injury.
– with AAP
