10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic reflects on his controversial deportation, admitting he suffers "trauma" when touching down in Melbourne.
Having repeatedly voiced his stance about not wanting to get vaccinated during the Covid pandemic, the Serbian star was unable to compete in most tournaments throughout the calendar year.
In 2022, after an alleged miscommunication between Djokovic and Australian authorities, the then 34-year-old was held up at customs after his medical exemption was knocked back, with his Visa cancelled.
From there, he was detained in a detention centre for five days before being allowed to fly back to Serbia.
When asked if he experiences trauma arriving at Melbourne Airport, the former world No.1 expressed how he truly feels.
"I have to be quite frank," Djokovic told The Herald Sun.
"The last couple of times that I landed in Australia, to go through passport control and immigration — I had a bit of trauma from three years ago.
"Some traces still stay there when I’m passing passport control, just checking out if someone from immigration zone is approaching. The person checking my passport — are they going to take me, detain me again or let me go? I must admit I have that feeling."
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Although he endured one of the most challenging moments of his life, Djokovic doesn't want to play the blame game.
"I don’t hold any resentment, to be honest," he said.
"I don’t hold a grudge. I came like right away the year after 2023… and I won the Australian Open — it was my 22nd slam. My parents and whole team were there, and it was actually one of the most emotional wins that I’ve ever had considering all that I’d been through the year before."
Last year, Djokovic lost in the Australian Open semi-finals for the first time in his career against world No.1 Jannik Sinner.
With only a gold medal to his name after unsuccessful attempts to claim an ATP Tour title or Grand Slam in 2024, he is now on the hunt to add a 25th major trophy to his collection.
"I just hope to, before I retire, get at least one more title there and that is the goal," he shared.
"I love playing in Rod Laver Arena; the atmosphere is so good — summer time — people love their sport in Melbourne and Australia, and so I should look forward to going there."
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