Novak Djokovic also admitted to feeling stressed upon landing at Melbourne airport after being deported from Australia three years ago.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion had his visa canceled ahead of the 2022 Australian Open due to Australia’s Covid-19 entry rules and the Serbian tennis player’s unvaccinated status.
“I have to be quite frank,” Djokovic said in an interview with Melbourne’s Herald Sun newspaper. “The last time I landed in Australia, when going through passport and immigration control, I had a little trauma from three years ago.”
“And some traces still remain when I’m going through passport control, just checking to see if anyone from the immigration zone is approaching,” he said.
“The person checking my passport — are they going to take me away, detain me again or let me go? I must admit I have that feeling.”
The Serb returned to Melbourne Park in 2023, when the worst of the pandemic had passed, and won his tenth Australian Open title.
“I don’t hold any hard feelings, to be honest,” the 37-year-old added. “I don’t hold any grudges. I came back the following year… and won.
“My parents and the whole team were there and it was truly one of the most emotional wins I’ve ever had, considering everything I’d been through the year before.”
Djokovic, currently 7th in the ATP (Tennis Professionals Association) rankings, will be chasing a record 25 Grand Slam titles when the 2025 Australian Open begins next Sunday (12).
