Australian Open 2023 news: Novak Djokovic maintains visa paperwork was above board, Stan Wawrinka responds to boo ban

Returning to Melbourne for the first time since his deportation saga, Novak Djokovic has opened up on his feelings and what he is expecting this year.

Twelve months on from his infamous deportation saga, tennis star Novak Djokovic maintains his visa paperwork was above board.

And while he is hoping for a welcoming reception from a Melbourne crowd, the nine-time Australian Open champion admits he does not know how he will be received.

Djokovic, 35, was deported from Australia on the eve of last year’s grand slam amid a coronavirus vaccine stoush that went to the top levels of government and court and led him to a detention centre that housed refugees.

“I of course cannot forget what happened last year, but at the same time, I moved on and I feel good being here,” he said.

It was claimed that when Djokovic arrived in Melbourne last January, there was conjecture regarding the validity of his medical exemption that would excuse him from vaccination requirements for entry that were in place at the time.

He had cited a recent Covid infection as a reason for not being vaccinated.

Novak Djokovic has maintained his innocence. Picture: AFP

Then-immigration minister Alex Hawke deemed that Djokovic’s presence at the Open “may pose a health risk to the Australian community” given his belief it could encourage anti-vaccination sentiment.

But Djokovic is adamant he “was just following the rules”.

“My exemption was verified by an independent body, and panel of doctors … I came in with all the valid papers,” he told Channel 9 on Wednesday.

“All of a sudden, I became the villain of the world which was obviously a terrible position to be in as an athlete and someone who is looking to thrive in its own direction of life and profession.

“But that’s something that I had to learn how to handle.”

He was housed in a detention facility in Carlton amid an appeals process before he was ultimately deported.

“I don’t hold any grudges,” Djokovic said.

“…Definitely not against the people of Australia. I think me being here proves how much I really want to be here and how much I want to play, and how much I like it.”

Djokovic – a 21-time grand slam winner – said in the weeks that followed, he had stayed at home as he waited for the drama to settle.

“(There was) a not great narrative in the media about me at all, and I just stayed for several weeks at home,” he said.

“I didn’t really go around too much, I just hoped that the situation could calm down, which it did.

“But the traces stay there. The traces followed for several months after.”

Novak Djokovic is back in Australia but unsure how he will be received by crowds. Picture: AFP Images

Fans have been warned to be fair on Djokovic, with tournament director Craig Tiley saying those who cross the line will be booted from the event.

“I really hope that the crowd will be receiving me well,” he said.

“That’s something that I can’t predict. I don’t know. I obviously wish for a positive reception, but it’s in their hands.”

Djokovic said he had felt the hamstring that he injured in Adelaide “pulling” and that he did not want to risk any further trouble.

“I just felt it a bit, pulling and I didn’t want to risk anything worse,” he told Channel 9.

“I played a set. I apologised to Daniil and he was understanding. I just want to avoid any bigger scares.”

Novak’s injury scare as star slams boo ban

— Scott Gullan

Novak Djokovic’s sensational return to the Australian Open may have hit a hurdle with the Serbian star appearing to be still hampered by a hamstring injury.

The nine-time champion was forced to cut short a scheduled practice match on Wednesday against Russia’s Daniil Medvedev after requiring medical attention on a number of occasions throughout the session on Rod Laver Arena.

He complained of hamstring trouble last weekend on his way to the Adelaide International title.

Djokovic receives treatment during the practice match against Daniil Medvedev. Picture: Getty

Djokovic led 3-2 but won just one more game for the set before calling quits on the practice match on Wednesday afternoon.

The injury scare could be a disaster for Open organisers who have promoted a sold-out exhibition match between Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios on Rod Laver Arena on Friday night.

Tickets sold out in 58 minutes for the match with all proceeds going to charity. It will be Kyrgios’ first match for the year as he has battled ankle/knee issues in the lead-up to the Open.

Djokovic had to cut short his practice match, just days out from the Australian Open. Picture: Getty

Djokovic revealed in Adelaide he tweaked his hamstring during a semi-final victory over Medvedev before recovering to claim the title over Sebastian Korda 24 hours later.

“I woke up all right. Went deep into the night last night with work done with the physio,” Djokovic said last weekend.

“Talk with the doctors, as well, of the tournament . . . a few times in the match I felt I was tightening up the muscle, but nothing that would worry me for my performance.”

The Australian Open draw, where Djokovic is expected to be seeded No.4, is set to be held at 3pm on Thursday at Melbourne Park.

‘SAY WHAT YOU WANT’: STAR SLAMS NOVAK BOO BAN

— Lauren Wood

Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka says fans should be able to “do whatever they want” at the year’s opening grand slam.

Tournament boss Craig Tiley warned fans in Wednesday’s Herald Sun that punters will be booted from Melbourne Park if they unfairly target Serbian star Novak Djokovic, who is returning to the Australian Open for the first time since he was sensationally deported from the country on the eve of last year’s tournament following a coronavirus vaccine stoush.

Tiley said fans who unreasonably taunt Djokovic and “disrupt the enjoyment of anyone else – boom, they are out … we don’t want them on site.”

Fans who taunt Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic have been warned they’re not wanted at the Australian Open. Picture: AFP

But Wawrinka, who won the 2014 Australian Open, said “that’s tennis”.

“If they go over the limit (then yes), but I think they should be allowed to do whatever they want,” the three-time grand slam winner told the Herald Sun.

“They do it every year with every player – if they don’t like the player, or they like another one, they will boo one and cheer for the other one. That’s tennis. That’s sport. That’s what you want.

“So of course, things happened with Novak last year, and I think there was many mistakes from different (parties) – not only Novak.

“I do believe they will not boo him. They will be happy to see him and it’s going to be a great tournament.”

Stan Wawrinka says fans should be able to do ‘whatever they want’. Picture: Getty

Wawrinka, 37, was at Baby Pizza on Chapel Street as he launched his exclusive “Stan Pizza” in conjunction with Piper-Heidsieck.

Just down the road at the Kooyong Classic, British champion Andy Murray – who has claimed five Australian Open titles and came back to defeat China’s Zhang Zhizen – said being jeered was “not a nice feeling”.

“I don’t necessarily like seeing players getting booed,” Murray said on Wednesday.

“Obviously anyone’s entitled to respond however they want when they pay tickets to come and watch.

“It’s not a nice feeling for players when that happens. I saw Novak’s match in Adelaide and he got great support there and I’m sure that it’ll probably be the same in Melbourne.”

Originally published as Australian Open 2023 news: Novak Djokovic maintains visa paperwork was above board, Stan Wawrinka responds to boo ban