Djokovic says the deportation will ‘stick with me for the rest of my life’

Controversial tennis star Novak Djokovic gave a surprising response when asked what he thought of Australia.

Novak Djokovic trains at Memorial Drive in Adelaide after touching down in Australia ahead of the Adelaide International. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

Tennis star Novak Djokovic says he bears no ill will towards Australia despite the events of last January being hard to forget.

The Serbian world number five was deported after arriving in Australia unvaccinated ahead of the 2022 Australian Open, with the ensuing legal drama ending up before the federal court as the star appealed his visa cancellation.

Djokovic, who remains unvaccinated, said the saga had been a “valuable life experience” and he was willing to move on and return to his happy hunting ground Down Under.

Initially banned for three years from entering the country in a potentially catastrophic end to his career in Australia, the 35-year-old had his ban overturned by Immigration Minister Andrew Giles in November.

Novak Djokovic was all smiles as he trained at Memorial Drive in Adelaide on Wednesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

Speaking in Adelaide, where he will tune-up for the Australian Open via the Adelaide International, the 21-time Grand Slam winner admitted the memories of the deportation would live with him forever.

“It’s great to be back in Australia … obviously what happened 12 months ago was not easy for me, for my family, team, anybody who’s close to me, and so it’s disappointing to leave the country like that,” Djokovic said.

“I was really hoping that I’m going to have my permission to get back into Australia and play here – it’s a country where I’ve had tremendous success in my career, particularly in Melbourne.”

The Serbian superstar enjoyed a hike through Adelaide on Friday morning. Picture: Instagram.

He said he was excited to return to Adelaide, the scene of one of his first ever professional tournament victories when he toppled Australian cult hero Chris Guccione in the 2007 final.

Australia was still “close to my heart”, Djokovic said.

“What happened 12 months ago was not easy to digest for me for some time.

“You can’t forget these events, it’s one of those things that stays with you for the rest of your life.

“I had to move on and no event or circumstances would replace what I have lived in Melbourne, and in Australia throughout my career.”

Pictures showed the tennis star enjoying a hike through Adelaide on Friday.

Djokovic will return to the scene of one of his first ever professional tournament wins when the Adelaide International begins on January 1. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

Djokovic said he only had “positive emotions” ahead of the start of his Australian campaign.

“(The Australian Open) has been my favourite slam and results are proving that,” he said.

“It’s by far my most successful Grand Slam, I’ve won it nine times.”

The Adelaide International is yet to be drawn but begins on January 1, with Djokovic among a star-studded field including Felix Auger-Aliassime (world no. 6), Daniil Medvedev (no. 7) and Andrey Rublev (no. 8).