In a candid interview with Melbourne’s Herald Sun, Novak Djokovic revealed that he still feels the emotional impact of his COVID-19 deportation from Australia in 2022. The Serbian tennis star, who was detained and deported for entering the country unvaccinated, admitted that the experience left him with lingering trauma.
Djokovic shared that every time he lands in Australia, he experiences anxiety and unease at passport control and immigration checkpoints. “The last couple of times I landed in Australia, to go through passport control and immigration – I had a bit of trauma from three years ago,” Djokovic said. He described the feeling of apprehension, wondering if he would be detained again or allowed to pass through.
Despite the emotional scars, Djokovic has not held a grudge. He returned to Melbourne the following year and won the Australian Open, describing the victory as one of the most emotional moments of his career. “I came right away the year after and I won. My parents and whole team were there, and it was actually one of the most emotional wins I’ve ever had,” he said.
As Djokovic prepares for the 2025 Australian Open, he aims to win a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title. The tournament begins on Sunday, and Djokovic is determined to overcome his past trauma and achieve another milestone in his illustrious career.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan responded to Djokovic’s revelation, acknowledging the universal hardships brought by the pandemic but emphasizing the importance of focusing on the upcoming tournament. “COVID-19 was tough for all of us. It didn’t matter who you were or what you did, it was a tough time,” Allan said.
Novak Djokovic in 2025
Currently ranked no.7, Djokovic played his last match on the 3rd of January when he surrendered to world no.171 Reilly Opelka 7-6(6) 6-3 in the quarter in Brisbane (draw).
Presently, during this year the Serbian has managed to achieve an overall 2-1 match record.
