Australian Open: Novak Djokovic says he will 'never forget' deportation

2 years ago 56

Novak Djokovic says his deportation from Australia volition enactment with him for the remainder of his life.

Djokovic, 35, was detained and sent home successful January owed to his Covid-19 vaccine presumption aft trying to participate the state to vie astatine the Australian Open.

But helium overturned a three-year ban connected applying for a visa successful November and volition vie successful the 2023 tournament.

"You can't hide those events," Djokovic said.

"It's 1 of these things that sticks with you, it stays with you for I conjecture the remainder of your life.

"It was thing that I've ne'er experienced before, and hopefully ne'er again."

The Serb admitted: "It is simply a invaluable beingness acquisition for me. I person to determination on. Coming backmost to Australia speaks however I consciousness astir this country, however I consciousness astir playing here.

"I was truly hoping that I'm going to person my support backmost to get backmost into Australia and play present due to the fact that it's a state wherever I've had tremendous occurrence successful my career."

The 21-time expansive slam champion has won 9 Australian Open titles.

Australian Open qualifying starts connected 9 January, with the archetypal circular getting underway connected 16 January.

Across the BBC banner