Novak Djokovic says deportation drama paved way to success

MELBOURNE – Novak Djokovic says his controversial deportation before last year’s Australian Open proved an unlikely catalyst for success in 2022, allowing him to regroup on the practice court ahead of his major title retreat.

The Serbian trained hard in the months after his expulsion and when he was banned from competing in the United States for not being vaccinated against COVID-19.

He went on to win his seventh Wimbledon crown and complete a one-year hiatus by winning his sixth ATP Tour Finals in Turin.

Back at Melbourne Park after his visa ban was lifted by the Australian government, Djokovic said the events he missed due to his vaccination stance had renewed his determination on the training court.

“Yes indeed. I mean, you usually, as a professional tennis player at the highest level, don’t have a lot of time for longer training sessions,” Djokovic told reporters on Saturday.

“The fact that I haven’t played for months since last year allowed me to get together with the team and train myself, stroke by stroke, which then helped me get good results.”

Djokovic told local broadcaster Nine Network that he felt like “the villain of the world” last year in Melbourne where he was detained in a hotel with asylum seekers before being deported.

However, he was well received by the crowd at Rod Laver Arena on Saturday night as he trained against home hero Nick Kyrgios.

Djokovic, who will be bidding for a record 10th Australian Open crown, said he had no choice but to continue from last year’s event.

“Well you have to. I mean, if I held a grudge, probably if I couldn’t move on, I wouldn’t be here,” he told reporters.

“I also have to say that the number of positive experiences I’ve had in Australia far outweighs the negative experiences of the past year.”

The 35-year-old said he was still cautious about the hamstring strain he sustained in Adelaide and was training lighter than usual to conserve energy.

However, there was no stopping his motivation to claim another Melbourne Park crown, and draw level with reigning champion Rafa Nadal in the Grand Slam race for his 22nd major title.

“That’s why I continue to play professional tennis, competitive tennis, because I want to be the best, I want to win the biggest tournament in the world,” said Djokovic, who opened the tournament against unseeded Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena.

“There’s no secret about it. It doesn’t get any bigger than this.

“I like my chances. I always like my chances.

RELATED STORY

Read Next

For suggestions, complaints, or questions, please contact us.