Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic is preparing to qualify for the Australian Open as Australia signals the country plans to reopen. The visa dispute from the previous year remains a defining moment in his career, a chapter that Djokovic says was hard to swallow and never fully digested. He spoke to reporters during a press conference broadcast in Adelaide, just ahead of a tournament that serves as a lead in to the first Grand Slam of the season.
The nine-time Australian Open champion, who spent several days in a Melbourne hotel this January, stressed that the episodes around his visa and vaccination status left a lasting impression. They are memories that will stay with him far beyond the court because they shaped a significant stretch in his professional journey.
Djokovic emphasized that he had to move forward. The events and the surrounding circumstances, he noted, will not erase the experiences he has accumulated in Melbourne and throughout Australia over his long career. He remains focused on adding to his tally of Grand Slams, aiming for his twenty-second title, a milestone that would further cement his place among the sport’s greats.
He acknowledged the disappointment of leaving the country under such circumstances, despite expressing gratitude for the success he has enjoyed in Australia, particularly in Melbourne. The ongoing controversy has drawn global media attention as Djokovic returns with a renewed sense of purpose and a hope for a memorable Australian summer.
The Serbian athlete, who has long been a fan favorite in the Australian Open, arrived in the country early on Tuesday night to tune up his form for the tournament. He explained that the travel timing presented a challenge due to the time difference, prompting him to adjust his routine. His stated goal remains simple: to perform at his best in Melbourne and to contend for the crown.
A media expulsion
Back in January 2022, as Djokovic prepared to defend his Melbourne base, immigration authorities detained him upon arrival in Australia. The move followed questions about the validity of a health waiver, amid claims that he had recently recovered from COVID-19. Ultimately, deportation was chosen as the course of action, based on concerns about compliance with pandemic rules.
At the start of that year, Australia required travelers to have a full COVID-19 vaccination schedule or a valid exemption. Djokovic spent time in an immigration hotel while authorities reviewed the case, and after a prolonged legal process, the federal court determined that his presence could be viewed as a health risk or a public order issue. The decision was publicly issued by the court, and the case captured global attention.
Recent reports note that Djokovic was deported shortly before the 2022 Australian Open and barred from entering the country for three years, a restriction that his legal team later challenged. They argued that Australia had since lifted many pandemic-related rules, paving the way for his return in due course.
The Djokovic episode occurred during a period of rising COVID-19 cases in Australia, a time when the country had gradually reopened its borders after nearly two years of stringent measures. The case remains a notable example of how health policy and international sport intersected during a challenging phase of the pandemic, with long-term implications for athletes and travel rules alike.