Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic a year after the Melbourne scandal – it’s love again

Immigration Minister Andrew Giles said the Serb’s appeal against the visa withdrawal would be granted “taking into account all relevant facts”.

Djokovic was still torn. On the one hand, there could have been “no better news” from the fifth continent, on the other hand, “these experiences will stay with you for the rest of your life,” explained the superstar. Overall, however, it is “the positive experiences that outshine the negative ones”.

Apparently many Australians saw it that way too. The opinion research institute Resolve Strategic determined for the “Sydney Morning Herald” that the part of the population that is explicitly in favor of the tennis star entering the country rose from 14 percent in January to 30 percent in December.

The Djokovic family reclaims Melbourne

Djokovic’s optimistic approach to the troubled issue of Australia has paid off, that much can already be said. The big goal, the tenth Melbourne and 22nd Grand Slam title, is still three wins away, but he has long since won over the audience.

Djokovic has been back “on the most important court of his career” for a good ten days now, as he recently described the Rod Laver Arena. Father Srdjan and mother Dijana are also there and follow the matches in the box.

A sign when you know that Djokovic senior accused the country of “torture” after his son’s expulsion last year and spoke of “terror and brutal human rights violations”.

Djokovic: A lot of sympathy and individual disruptors

The bizarre events have not been forgotten, but Djokovic is back in vogue at Melbourne Park. Apart from individual disruptors who provoked the record tournament winner with heckling, the 35-year-old was met with great sympathy.

Djokovic suddenly crowd favorite

Not a matter of course, as the veteran emphasized after the first positive reactions to his person. He couldn’t assess how things would go for him “after everything that had happened in the past year. That’s why I’m all the more grateful for the love and support I’m experiencing here”.

Sentences that are well received down under – and after Nick Kyrgios had to cancel, Rafael Nadal retired and Roger Federer ended his career, Djokovic even became the crowd favorite at these Australian Opens.