Djokovic still stressed at Melbourne airport after 2022 deportation

Sydney — Novak Djokovic has admitted to still getting stressed when he gets off a plane at Melbourne airport after he was deported from Australia three years ago.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion had his visa cancelled ahead of the 2022 Australian Open after days of drama over Australia's Covid-19 entry rules and his unvaccinated status.

“I have to be quite frank,” Djokovic said in an interview with Melbourne's Herald Sun newspaper.

“The last couple of times I landed in Australia, to go through passport control and immigration — I had a bit of trauma from three years ago.

“And some traces still stay there when I'm passing passport control, just checking out if someone from the 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.”

The Serbian returned to Melbourne Park in 2023 when the worst of the pandemic was over and won a 10th Australian Open title.

“I don't hold any resentment, to be honest,” the 37-year-old added. “I don't hold a grudge. I came right away the year after… and I won.

“My parents and the whole team were there and it was actually one of the most emotional wins I've ever had considering all that I'd been through the year before.”

Djokovic, who is ranked seventh in the world, will be on the hunt for a record 25th Major title when the 2025 Australian Open begins on Sunday.

• Naomi Osaka will undergo a scan on the injury that forced her to pull out of the Auckland Classic final but remains optimistic about playing at the Australian Open, the former world No 1 said on Monday.

Osaka, the 2019 and 2021 champion at Melbourne Park, was reduced to tears on Sunday when an abdominal injury forced her to quit while leading Clara Tauson 6-4 in her first WTA final in almost three years.

“I'm having an MRI today to assess,” the 27-year-old said in a brief statement.

“I don't feel that it's too serious and I still feel very optimistic about AO.”

Osaka, who returned to the tour a year ago after a long maternity break, had shown glimpses of the form that won her four Major titles on her run to the final in Auckland.

She broke back into the top 50 in the world rankings on Monday.

Reuters