The Incident That Left Djokovic Psychologically Scarred
The Incident That Left Djokovic Psychologically Scarred
Tennis legend and the GOAT of the tennis world, Novak Djokovic, admitted that he still feels stressed every time he steps off a plane at Melbourne Airport. The main reason stems from his deportation from Australia three years ago.
The 2022 Incident: A Painful Memory
In 2022, Djokovic arrived in Australia to participate in the Australian Open but refused to take the Covid-19 vaccine. After days of debates and tension, the Australian authorities canceled his visa and decided to deport him from the country. For Djokovic, this incident remains a psychological scar.
In an interview, he shared:
“In the past few times when I landed in Australia to go through passport control and immigration, I still felt the trauma from what happened three years ago.”
He added:
“Some traces of that still linger when I go through the passport and security checks. I keep wondering whether the passport officer will detain me again or let me through. I have to admit, that feeling still exists.”
An Emotional Return in 2023
Leaving the incident behind, Djokovic returned to Melbourne Park in 2023. By then, the Covid-19 pandemic had subsided, and he quickly regained his form by winning his 10th Australian Open title after defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final.
He reflected:
“To be honest, I don’t feel any resentment or anger. I came back the following year and won. My family and team were all there, and it was one of the most emotional victories of my career, considering everything that happened the previous year.”
Pursuing Australian Open 2025
Now, Djokovic is aiming for his 11th Australian Open title and his 25th Grand Slam at the 2025 tournament, which kicks off on January 13 and lasts for two weeks. However, he recently suffered a loss in the quarterfinals of the Brisbane International, a result that might impact his momentum.
Joining Djokovic this time is Andy Murray, who will support him from the stands. All eyes are on Djokovic to see if he can reaffirm his legendary status at Melbourne Park.
