Warm welcome for Novak Djokovic in Adelaide
Novak Djokovic played the first official match in doubles with Vasek Pospisil on Monday after being deported from Australia last year. In Adelaide, the Serbian top star was consistently warmly welcomed.
by SID
last edit:
Jan 02, 2023, 04:12 pm
Tennis fans in Australia gave Novak Djokovic a warm welcome at his first match Down Under about a year after his sensational deportation. When he appeared in doubles at the ATP tournament in Adelaide on Monday, the spectators celebrated the Serbs with loud applause and chants of "Novak, Novak".
Alongside Canadian Vasek Pospisil, the 21-time Grand Slam champion lost to specialists Tomislav Brkic (Bosnia-Herzegovina) and Gonzalo Escobar (Ecuador) in three sets. After the match in a crowded outdoor arena, the 35-year-old posed for selfies and signed autographs. In the singles, the fifth in the world rankings will only be challenged on Tuesday against the Frenchman Constant Lestienne.
Entry ban lifted
Djokovic had tried to enter Melbourne without a corona vaccination in early 2022 before the Australian Open, but his visa was declared invalid. After days of forced quarantine in a deportation hotel and several court hearings, he had to leave the country one day before the start of the Grand Slam tournament.
Djokovic was also hit with a three-year travel ban, but this was lifted following a change of government in Australia. Now he will start the hunt for his tenth Australian Open title from January 16th. No proof of vaccination is currently required to enter Australia.