Novak Djokovic back in good spirits, trains with Jannik Sinner
Novak Djokovic is in good spirits as he prepares for his summer of tennis in Australia, training the house down with another star before finishing the session in quirky fashion.
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Novak Djokovic appears to have put the ignominy of last January’s deportation drama out of his mind, cutting a relaxed figure on centre court at Memorial Drive less than 24 hours after opening up about his summer from hell.
The world No. 5 traded training blows with Jannik Sinner for more than an hour in front of little more than support staff and security personnel on Friday, having hit in a much more public setting for the media throng that attended a day earlier.
It was after Thursday’s session that the 21-time Grand Slam winner revealed the circumstances that led to his deportation and subsequent three-year ban from entering Australia, which was lifted in November, were “not easy to digest” and “one of those things that stays with you for the rest of your life”.
Friday’s hit with Sinner was a much more muted affair to the media circus which greeted Djokovic upon his arrival in Australia, and the Serbian superstar was even able to let his hair down after the brutal hour-long session viewed by fewer than 30 people.
A bemused Sinner watched as Djokovic was joined by coach Goran Ivanisevic for a light-hearted game of tennis handball on centre court after the pair had finished their practice, which followed hometown hero and reigning Adelaide International champion Thanasi Kokkinakis’ warm-up.
Adelaide International officials have been impressed by Djokovic’s willingness to put last summer’s drama behind him as he takes aim at a possible 10th Australian Open title.
“I think they’re having a great time to be honest,” tournament director Alistair MacDonald told News Corp.
“They’ve arrived really early and I think they’ve really enjoyed being in Adelaide. They’ve gotten out a bit – they’ve been to a few restaurants, to the beach, played a lot of soccer – and he seems pretty relaxed now that he’s here.
“I think he’s just pumped to be back playing in Australia again. And he has a bit of a connection to (the Adelaide International). He’s won here (previously) and I think you always have a connection as a player if you’ve won somewhere before.
“I think it was 2007 that he won here. It was his first title in Australia – a pretty special moment for him. We were looking at the photos the other day, he looks so young. It’s great to have him back now as arguably the greatest player of all time.”
‘YOU DON’T FORGET’: DJOKER’S RAW TAKE ON HORROR DEPORTATION
Novak Djokovic won’t soon forget what transpired in Melbourne 12 months ago, but he has made it clear he’s determined to move on.
The former world No. 1 returned to Australia this week ahead of kick-starting his summer tennis campaign at the Adelaide International.
It marks a year since Djokovic was sensationally detained and deported by Australian government officials over his murky Covid-19 vaccination status.
While much has changed in the time since the Djokovic saga, most notably Australia’s border laws allowing him back into the country, the Serbian star made it clear he has not completely forgotten about it.
“Obviously what happened 12 months ago was not easy for me, for my family, or to anybody who’s close to me, and it’s obviously disappointing to leave the country like that,” he said.
“You don’t forget those events. It’s one of these things that sticks with you for the rest of your life.
“It was, as I said, something that I’ve never experienced before and hopefully never again. But it is a valuable life experience for me and something that, as I said, will stay there, but I have to move on.
“I always felt great in Australia. I’ve played my best tennis here, and received a lot of support, so hopefully I can have another great summer.”
The 35-year-old, who is currently ranked fifth in the world, will be determined to claim his 10th Australian Open crown at Melbourne Park next month.
There is uncertainty around what the reception will be like for Djokovic at both Melbourne and Memorial Drive in Adelaide where he will play the Adelaide International next week.
Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley said he had spoken to Djokovic about his concerns over crowd behaviour upon his arrival back in the country.
“We have spoken about (a possible negative crowd reaction) and he, as any athlete, would be would be concerned about it,” Tiley told Channel 9 on Thursday.
“But it’s one that he’s just doing the best that he can as a player. There’s a great deal of respect for him as a player, as an athlete, and what he’s achieved in the game and continues to achieve.
“And I think the Australian public and community appreciate that.”
Will they boo? Djoker ‘concerned’ about negative reception
Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley says he has talked to a “concerned” Novak Djokovic about the prospect of a negative crowd response to the polarising star when he returns to the Australian Open.
The nine-time champion’s Australian visit turned into a circus last year after a war of words - and eventually detention and legal battle - erupted after he entered the country unvaccinated.
He was eventually banned from the country for three years, although the government confirmed in November a change to vaccination laws meant he was no longer barred and had been granted a visa allowing him to play in the opening Grand Slam of the year.
Tiley said he had spoken to Djokovic, who snuck into the country earlier this week and will open his Australian campaign at the Adelaide International.
“We have spoken about (a possible negative crowd reaction) and he, as any athlete, would be would be concerned about it,” Tiley said.
“But it’s one that he’s just doing the best that he can as a player. There’s a great deal of respect for him as a player, as an athlete, and what he’s achieved in the game and continues to achieve.
“And I think the Australian public and community appreciate that.”
Djokovic’s attempt to bypass vaccination rules last year and eventual deportation from Australia ahead of the Open created worldwide headlines, with opinion divided on whether the Serb, or the government was in the right.
Tiley, a longtime Australian Open tournament director who has a close relationship with Djokovic, believes the tennis public will appreciate the champion.
“With Novak, I have a great deal of confidence with respect to the Australian community, the sporting community, they do appreciate when they’re watching a nine-time champion, a great player,” Tiley said.
“He’s coming off 2022 having the best end of the season of any male player and he’s going to be difficult to beat.
“I’m relying on that confidence and you know, whatever happens, happens but I think there’s going to be a great appreciation of him coming back and playing the kind of tennis he’s playing.”
Speaking on Nine, Tiley confirmed he had spoken to Nick Kyrgios’s team just before his United Cup withdrawal yesterday.
And while the eleventh-hour announcement may have blindsided his teammates — and possibly officials — Tiley defended players’ right to give themselves until the last minute to make decisions on their fitness.
“Most athletes - and this case is the situation with Nick - will give themselves the best possible opportunity to compete and will make a decision as late as they possibly can,” Tiley said.
“It is more difficult when you play the United Cup which is a team competition that does impact others but it is fairly common with the athletes do when they are preparing for a major event.”
It was a decision Kyrgios had taken to ensure full fitness for the Australian Open.
“We have spoken to his team and they have given us an indication that they’ve made this decision and he’s made this decision so they’ve given themselves maximum opportunity to be in the best possible shape for the Australian Open and to recover from this ankle injury,” Tiley said.
“We’re confident that he’ll be fine and look forward to playing the AO. We’ve seen the energy that he’s brought to the court and I think the big challenge is going to be deciding which court to put him on.”
NADAL REVEALS WHAT DJOKOVIC ARRIVAL MEANS FOR AUS OPEN
Former World No. 1 Novak Djokovic arrived in Australia almost one year after he was deported for refusing to be vaccinated against Covid-19, tennis officials said.
The nine-time Australian Open champion was initially banned from the country for three years after losing a high-stakes legal battle in January over his vaccine status.
Australia has since lifted its requirement for visitors to show proof of vaccination against Covid.
Within 24 hours of touching down in Australia, Djokovic showed he was determined to reclaim his crown as best in the world on centre court at Adelaide’s Memorial Drive tennis complex.
The world number five appeared in a jovial mood as he trained opposite coach Goran Ivanisevic, before ramping up the session with a number of sizzling forehands from the baseline.
Djokovic will kickstart his Summer campaign at the Adelaide International next week, before making his return to the Australian Open, where he will aim for a historic 10th title.
The government confirmed in November that the unvaccinated Serb was no longer barred and had been granted a visa allowing him to play in the opening Grand Slam of the year, which starts next month.
World No. 2 Rafael Nadal had been just as surprised by Djokovic’s unsung entry to Australia as everyone else, but said his return was for the good of the game.
Nadal is in Sydney ahead of the United Cup kicking off on Thursday.
Nadal won’t be in action until Saturday, when he will face Britain’s Cameron Norrie in singles action.
“Novak is here, (that is) good for tennis, it is good for probably the fans,” Nadal said on Wednesday.
“The best players on court is always better.”
Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley said he hoped local fans would embrace Djokovic’s return.
“We welcome him back to Australia,” he told reporters.
“I think as we speak he’s landing in Adelaide and I think that he is going to be again the player to beat.
“I have a great deal of confidence in the Australian public. I have a lot of confidence that the fans will react how we hope they will react.”
Former Wimbledon winner and world tennis veteran Petra Kvitova has welcomed the return of the Serbian star to Australian shores.
The Czech world no. 16, who is in Sydney ahead of the United Cup starting on Thursday, said it was great to have Djokovic involved in the world majors again.
Djokovic was sensationally deported from Australia on the eve of the 2022 Australian Open over issues with his vaccination status.
With the regulations eased on international visitors, Djokovic landed in Adelaide on Tuesday night ahead of the Adelaide International next week.
Djokovic is expected to compete in next month’s Australian Open, aiming for a 10th title at Melbourne Park.
“I didn’t see him yet but I think it was a big issue last year of course,” Kvitova said of Djokovic.
“We probably don’t know the inside of all of the things that was happening last year.
“It is great that he is back here playing. I think it is great for tennis that he is back in the big competitions.
“It is always great to have the best.”
Djokovic, who has won 21 Grand Slams, has been criticised for his part in the vaccination saga, which played out as rolling anti-vaccination protests took place in Australia’s major cities.
He is scheduled to play in the Adelaide International, beginning Sunday, as he warms up for the Open in Melbourne.
“Over the years I’ve been really fortunate to start very strong in Australia and I love playing there,” the world number five said in Dubai last week after ending 2022 with a record-equalling sixth ATP Tour Finals crown.
“After obviously what happened earlier this year, hopefully I can have a decent reception there and hopefully that can help me play some good tennis.”
Djokovic last set foot in Australia nearly a year ago, claiming he had obtained a medical exemption to enter the country without being vaccinated because he had recently recovered from Covid-19.
However, Australian border officials said he did not meet the requirements to be exempted from strict vaccination rules and he was detained for five days while pursuing an ultimately fruitless legal appeal.
Djokovic opens up ahead of Australian Open return
Novak Djokovic is hoping he will receive a warm welcome from the public when he returns to the Australian Open next month, now that the drama surrounding his vaccination status and deportation is officially behind him.
A nine-time champion at Melbourne Park, Djokovic was unable to compete in the opening Grand Slam of the season in 2022 after he was deported from Australia over fears he would incite anti-vax sentiment.
As a result of his deportation, Djokovic was banned from entering Australia again but that decision has been reversed and the world number five is pleased he will get the chance to vie for a 10th title in Melbourne and a men’s record-equalling 22nd major crown overall.
“I always ask the best from myself so let’s see. Over the years I’ve been really fortunate to start very strong in Australia and I love playing there,” Djokovic told reporters at the World Tennis League in Dubai.
“After obviously what happened earlier this year, hopefully I can have a decent reception there and hopefully that can help me play some good tennis.”
The 35-year-old Djokovic was unable to compete in two of the four majors this year as his vaccination stance meant he was also forced to sit out the US Open.
However, he finished his 2022 campaign with a bang, winning titles in Tel Aviv, Astana and the ATP Finals in Turin, as well as reaching the final of the Paris Masters.
He also picked up trophies in Rome and Wimbledon and tallied up a 42-7 win-loss record throughout the season.
The Serb had mentioned in the past he would like to play into his 40s. Asked if he still felt that way, Djokovic said: “I would like to play as long as I possibly can. I don’t have really any number in my head. Things are progressing so far pretty well for me. I can’t complain. So as long as I play at this level, as long as I have the fire, I’ll keep going.”
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