At the beginning of the year, the native of Belgrade went through one of the most controversial events in tennis in recent times. He traveled to Australia to defend his degree with an exemption from mandatory vaccination against the coronavirus, but his visa was revoked upon arrival and he was subsequently deported from the country after two trials.
This also automatically earned him a three-year ban from entering the country, which can be overturned by the Australian authorities. Hopes for Serbs rose after the Australian government was replaced and the mandatory coronavirus vaccination for travelers to the island nation was lifted.
“As for Australia. I have positive indications, but of course unofficially. We are communicating through my lawyers in Australia who are dealing with the relevant authorities responsible for my case. I hope to have an answer in a few weeks. Whatever it is, although of course I hope it will be positive,” Djokovic revealed in an interview with Sportal.
Foto: @atptour
Novak Djokovic during training in Monaco.Photo: @atptour
“If I can start there, I want to have enough time to prepare. I would really like to play in Melbourne. I’m over what happened this year, I just want to play tennis. This is what I do best. And it was in Australia that I always showed my best tennis, the results speak for themselves. I am always extra motivated to go there. Now even more so,” continued Djokovic
He was pleased that Australia has now opened its borders to unvaccinated foreigners. “It’s a good thing. I still have a (three-year) ban, but I hope it will be lifted. However, it is no longer in my hands,” he said.
Even in retrospect, he has no regrets about standing by his convictions regarding the refusal of vaccinations, even if it cost him participation in the Australian Open and the US Open.
But he does not hide that the events in Australia were very unpleasant for him. “I made a decision and I knew it would have consequences in terms of going to America. And that was it for me. But Australia was a different case. I had an exception, but in the end it turned out completely differently. We know what happened,” he looked around.
However, he also gained valuable experience from the discomfort at the beginning of the season. “I have never experienced anything like this in my life, it taught me a valuable life lesson. Many masks have been torn off. It was interesting to see how certain people treated me during the process,” he added vaguely.
This year, Djokovic still has a prestigious tournament in Paris and also the final Tournament of Champions.
