“I will never forget what happened in Australia”: Novak Djokovic

For a couple of seasons now, the Australian trip has been capable of evoking both beautiful and exciting and sad and dark memories in Novak Djokovic. The Serbian champion is the absolute king of Melbourne: no one has won the Australian Open more times than him.

The Belgrade native has won ten times – a record – and before the defeat against Jannik Sinner, he had never lost in the semi-finals of this tournament. Despite the successes and special moments, it is impossible to remove what happened in 2022.

Djokovic, who had initially received a medical exemption because he was not vaccinated, was stopped at the entrance and spent several days inside the Park Hotel in Melbourne, a dilapidated structure that the Australian government uses to “host” groups of migrants and asylum seekers.

In the end, the Serbian was unable to take part in the first Slam of the year due to the decision taken directly by Immigration Minister Alex Hawke.

Novak Djokovic: “What happened in Australia left its mark”

An experience that Djokovic has shown he can put aside in some circumstances – last year he triumphed at the Australian Open – but which he will never forget.

This contrast of sensations also emerged during the interview with the Today program, when the 36-year-old joked before turning serious again and telling his truth. “Every time I take the field on Rod Laver Arena, the wonderful memories I experienced in previous years in Australia and everything I have achieved come back to my mind.

I’d say I’ve had fun every single year, except one (laughs, ed.). It was a short stay that time and I didn’t get to see much of the city,” Djokovic said. “It’s one of the experiences that I will never forget and that left a strong mark on my life.”