Novak Djokovic returns to Adelaide’s Africola for New Year’s Eve

Serbian superstar tennis player Novak Djokovic can’t keep away from trendy East Tce restaurant Africola, where he enjoyed some more South African cuisine to see out 2022.

Tennis legend Djokovic was having a whale of a time jamming out to music upon his return to a trendy CBD restaurant on New Year’s Eve.

In a video posted on the star’s Instagram account, Djokovic can be seen drumming on a table opposite a friend at the East Tce eatery Africola with collar popped and sunnies on.

“This is our New Year’s,” the friend declared while also bopping along to upbeat tunes of the restaurant.

But this was not the first time Djokovic has sampled the East Tce restaurant’s South African cuisine.

Last time he dined there, Djokovic chowed down on a one of the restaurant’s finest fish dishes.

“His dish of the night was our Tuna Nayeh,” Africola owner Duncan Welgemoed said.

And the tennis star had his sights set on the East Terrace restaurant for a while before his first visit.

“His team booked it in a while ago but we have to juggle a lot of people per night so we made sure he had a classic Africola experience,” Mr Welgemoed said.

When Estia’s Ethan Chang received a mysterious reservation for an anonymous VIP it was a case of “it was all Greek to me”.

But as soon as the special guest, Serbian superstar tennis player Novak Djokovic, arrived on Friday evening he understood the reason for all the secrecy.

Local public relations consultant Michele D’Aloia had made the booking for the 21-time grand slam tournament champion who is in town for the Adelaide International.

“We didn’t know who was coming,” Mr Chang said. “We were told it was a high profile VIP.”

Novak Djokovic dining at Estia Henley on Friday – pictured with Estia managers Ethan Chang and his coach Goron Ivanisevic. Picture: Supplied

The world No. 5 and his “entourage” made up a party of four who were given the best seats in the Henley Beach Greek restaurant overlooking the sea.

While the eatery is famous for its fig martini and marinated barbecue lamb and chicken, Djokovic abstained from alcohol and meat dishes.

“He is vegan so he enjoyed our many vegetarian options,” Mr Chang said.

Novak Djokovic with his brother Мarko Djokovic catching a stunning Adelaide beach sunset. Picture: Instagram

Mr Chang and another Estia manager Mario Lelas made Djokovic feel at home.

“He was so kind and down-to-earth,” Mr Chang said, adding Djokovic had invited Mr Lelas, who is of Serbian background, to catch a match at the Adelaide International: “They speak the same language”.

Djokovic has become somewhat of a regular at Henley Beach, having previously dined at Stella Restaurant.

‘He really enjoys Henley Beach because it’s private and has beautiful sunsets.”

Djokovic has also been spotted hiking in the Adelaide hills.

Last year’s Australian Open was overshadowed when Djokovic, 35, was sensationally sent home after the Federal Court upheld a decision to cancel his visa on “health and good order grounds” because his presence in Australia could stoke anti-vaccine sentiment and thereby undermine the ­nation’s Covid-19 response.

The tennis superstar had his three-year visa ban overturned in November, allowing him to compete at the Adelaide International next week, and the Open in Melbourne.

He said a potential match-up against hometown hero Thanasi Kokkinakis would be “fun”. Kokkinakis is one of several big names playing in Adelaide, including dual Olympic Gold medallist Andy Murray, young Italian star Jannik Sinner and this year’s Australian Open runner-up Danil Medvedev. “Thanasi Kokkinakis who is the title defender … I mean, that could be fun actually, playing Thanasi in front of his home fans,” he said.

Tennis Players Karen Khachanov and Daniil Medvedev at Eleven in Adelaide on New Year’s Eve. Picture: Instagram

Tennis player Andrey Rublev succumbs to Jet lag at a New Years eve event at Eleven in Adelaide. Pictured with tennis player Daniil Medvedev. Picture: Instagram

Tennis Players Daniil Medvedev and Karen Khachanov at Adelaide's Fireworks on New Year’s Eve. Picture: Instagram

Tennis Players Karen Khachanov and Daniil Medvedev in Adelaide on New Year’s Eve. Picture: Instagram

Meanwhile Russian tennis players here for the Adelaide International rang in the new year at city restaurant Eleven.

The group included Andrey Rublev – suffering from jet lag judging by an Instagram post – Daniil Medvedev and Karen Khachanov, who enjoyed watching a fireworks display.

Originally published as Novak Djokovic returns to Adelaide’s Africola for New Year’s Eve