Novak Djokovic has revealed the “trauma” he experiences each time he visits Melbourne, three years after he was deported for a breach of Australia’s COVID-19 guidelines.
Djokovic wasn’t allowed to defend his Australian Open title in 2022 due to his refusal to be vaccinated towards COVID-19.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion was detained in a resort for 5 days throughout a authorized saga that culminated along with his visa being revoked on the eve of the match which was received by Rafael Nadal.
Whereas Djokovic received the Australian Open the next yr, with COVID restrictions eased, he has admitted he nonetheless feels uneasy upon stepping foot within the nation.
“The final couple of instances I landed in Australia, to undergo passport management and immigration — I had a little bit of trauma from three years in the past,” Djokovic informed Melbourne’s Herald Solar.
“And a few traces nonetheless keep there after I’m passing passport management, simply testing if somebody from immigration zone is approaching.
“The individual checking my passport — are they going to take me, detain me once more or let me go? I need to admit I’ve that feeling.”
He added: “I do not maintain a grudge. I got here instantly the yr after and I received.
“My dad and mom and entire group had been there and it was truly one of the crucial emotional wins I’ve ever had, contemplating all that I would been via the yr earlier than.”
The Australian Open begins on Jan. 12 and Djokovic holds the document for probably the most males’s singles titles on the match, with 10.
