Novak Djokovic arrives in Melbourne for Australian Open

A smiling and relaxed Novak Djokovic’s arrival by private jet was a far cry from last year’s scenes which sparked a global media frenzy.

Novak Djokovic arrived at Melbourne's Essendon Airport on a private jet, flying in from Adelaide, with his entourage. Picture: Media-Mode

Novak Djokovic has touched down in Melbourne for the first time since he was spectacularly deported from the country due to a vaccination scandal.

The Serbian superstar was looking relaxed wearing silver sunglasses on Monday just days before he is scheduled to take to the court for an “arena extravaganza” in a ticketed exhibition match against Aussie fan fave Nick Kyrgios.

Djokovic jetted into Essendon Airport with his entourage on a private jet from Adelaide on Monday afternoon.

Novak Djokovic arrived at Essendon Airport on a private jet.

Fresh from an impressive victory in the Adelaide International on Sunday, Djokovic laughed and joked with his large entourage before being whisked away in a white SUV.

The Serb’s smile was a far cry from last year’s drama which made headlines around the world after Djokovic was detained in a hotel and booted from the country.

Djokovic was joined by his entourage. Picture: Media-Mode

Djokovic was deported from Australia in January 2022. Picture: Media-Mode

Djokovic was looking relaxed wearing silver sunglasses. Picture: Media-Mode

Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley on Monday looked to put the events of last year behind him.

“I’m a move on person, so I’m focused on today,” he said.

“We’ve had a lot of work to do for this event.”

Mr Tiley officially confirmed that Djokovic had agreed to a showdown with former rival Nick Kyrgios in what will be a rematch of the 2022 Wimbledon final.

The match will be staged on Friday night at Rod Laver Arena with proceeds from ticket sales going to charity.

“We’re going to open up the stands with ticket sales (from Tuesday January 10) … at a very low price point so we can get the stadium full … so fans can come out and it’ll go towards the Australian Tennis Foundation,” Mr Tiley said.

“I think that’ll be a really cool initiative.”

A media frenzy surrounded Djokovic’s 2022 deportation.

Mr Tiley said he had managed to sit down with Djokovic on a number of occasions since the 2022 drama and backed Victorian tennis fans to support the Serbian star.

“We’ve spoken a lot over the last week,” he said.

“He really enjoyed the experience in South Australia (at the Adelaide International) and he was welcomed … he loved it there.

“I love that our fans are sporting fans and are among the most educated and appreciate greatness. They appreciate players like Novak that have won this event nine times.

“Novak is back and … I’m pretty confident that the Melbourne fans – similar to the experience he had in Adelaide – will be just as good.”

Djokovic claimed the Adelaide International title on Sunday night, continuing his Australian winning streak which dates back to 2018.

He beat American Sebastian Korda, winning 6-7, 7-6, 6-4. A day earlier, he beat Danill Medvedev in straight sets.

Djokovic is scheduled to take to the court for an “arena extravaganza” in a ticketed exhibition match against Aussie fan fave Nick Kyrgios. Picture: Getty Images

Despite suffering a tweak to his hamstring in Saturday’s semi-final, the Serbian said he was confident in his Open preparations and a few minor adjustments in Melbourne would have him primed to hunt his tenth AO grand slam title.

“I’m pleased with the way I am playing, way I’m feeling,” Djokovic said.

“Now it’s really finetuning, just adapting to the conditions. They’re slightly different in Melbourne. Just taking it easy because I’ve had a lot of intensity this week.

“If I get to play practice matches with the guys (Kyrgios) that you mentioned, it would be great. But we have to see how we organise the whole week.

“I look forward to Melbourne. Rod Laver is probably my most -- not probably, it certainly is my most successful court in my career. I love playing there. I look forward to it.

“I have a week off for recovery now and working on specific things in terms of my game, my body, getting my mind in the right state for the best-of-five and two long weeks hopefully.”