Recently, Novak Djokovic revealed that even today, the moment he steps into the Melbourne airport, he cannot brush off the discomfiture he carries from having been all but deported from Australia three years earlier. Most drama surrounded Djokovic in January 2022 when his visa was revoked dramatically just before the Australian Open. At the time, much of the trouble he got into came from his unvaccinated status and the strict COVID-19 entry requirements in Australia in light of which much time was spent battling legally and in public. It was because of this reason that the tennis star could not participate in one of his favorite tournaments. However, every single time he lands in this country, there are emotional scars of that incident that still remain in him.

Djokovic Reflects On Lingering Anxiety Over Australian Immigration

In an interview with Melbourne’s Herald Sun newspaper, Novak Djokovic has opened up about the emotional impact of being deported from Australia in 2022. “Going through passport control and immigration, I remembered the feelings of trauma I had three years ago.” he confessed. He felt that apprehension was still evident during those moments. He further said “Even with my passport checked, I’m still uneasy about whether I’ll be detained or let through.”

Djokovic Looks Ahead To Australian Open After Emotional 2023 Victory

In 2023, Novak Djokovic made a successful comeback to the premises of Melbourne Park after going through the pains of deportation in 2022, where he won his 10th title at the Australian Open. He reminisced about the experience, saying, “I don’t hold any grudge or grudge. I came back the very next year and started winning.” According to him, the victory was one of the most emotional in his career because he was with his parents and team given what went down the previous year. Now ranked seventh in the world, Djokovic is ready to take the unprecedented 25th Grand Slam trophy when the 2025 Australian Open gets underway next Sunday.