Three years after being deported due to Australia’s COVID-19 regulations, Novak Djokovic claims that he still feels traumatized when he travels to Melbourne.
Due to Djokovic’s lack of a virus vaccination, the Australian government revoked his visa on the grounds of health and good order.
He missed the 2022 Australian Open after being forced to stay at an immigration hotel for five days while he tried in vain to appeal the decision and was ultimately forced to leave the country.
Djokovic recalled his memories and said: “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. And some traces still stay there when I’m passing passport control, just checking out if someone from the immigration zone is approaching. The person checking my passport—are they going to take me, detain me again, or let me go? I must admit I have that feeling. I don’t hold a grudge. I came right away the year after, and I won. My parents and the whole team were there, and it was actually one of the most emotional wins I’ve ever had, considering all that I’d been through the year before.”
Fans’ opinions of Djokovic’s continued trauma following deportation are divided. One fan wrote: “He was right in something and wrong in something else.”
Another weighed in: “If you had followed protocol and gotten vaccinated, no one would have bothered you in Australia.”
Another wrote: “Everyone needs to apologize to Novak. Everyone involved has done an injustice to him by defrauding him for their political campaigns. They should also exclude AO22 from being an official tournament.”
One fan commented: “Djokovic knew the rules and consequences, and he still chose to come! So he got what he deserved. No vaccine, no entry.”
Novak Djokovic in 2025
Currently the world no.7, Novak played his last match on the 3rd of January when he capitulated to world no.171 Reilly Opelka 7-6(6) 6-3 in the quarter in Brisbane (draw).
This year the Serbian has achieved a compiled 2-1 win-loss record.