Novak Djokovic expressed his happiness after returning back to Australia for the Australian Open. However, the Serbian also expressed his disappointment after missing the previous edition after he was deported from the country due to vaccination and visa issues.
Djokovic has savored great success at the Australian Open, winning the titles on nine occasions. Thus, he is well known as the King of Melbourne and he would want to replicate the same performances.
The 35-year-old has a potent game on hard courts and he will enter the Australian Open as one of the favorites to go all the way.
“It’s great to be back in Australia. It’s a country where I’ve had tremendous success in my career, particularly in Melbourne. It’s by far my most successful Grand Slam,” Djokovic said while speaking to the media in Adelaide.
“I’m hoping that everything is going to be positive. Obviously (fan reaction) is not something that I can predict. I’ll do my best to play good tennis and bring good emotions and good feelings to the crowd,” he added.
The Serbian added he may never forget the events which unfolded in Australia last year. Djokovic admitted it was not easy for him, his family, and his team to go through a such difficult time.
“Obviously what happened 12 months ago was not easy for me, for my family, team, anybody who is close to me. It’s obviously disappointing to leave the country like that,” he said.
“You can’t forget those events. It’s one of these things that stays with you for I guess the rest of your life. It’s something that I’ve never experienced before and hopefully never again,” he added.
“But it is a valuable life experience for me and something that as I said will stay there but I have to move on. Coming back to Australia speaks how I feel about this country, how I feel about playing here,” he said.
Djokovic also revealed his decision to play in the Adelaide International instead of the United Cup.
“I chose Adelaide because I wanted to get a tournament ahead of the Australian Open and I thought the Union (sic) Cup was a bit too early for me,” Djokovic said.
The Australian Open will begin on January 16.
