Djokovic has returned to Australia, almost a year after his expulsion: “It wasn’t easy to digest, but it was an instructive experience”

Novak Djokovic he returned Australia, almost a year after he was the protagonist of a major scandal in that country, which, after days of tug of war with the authorities, ended with his expulsion following his firm refusal to be vaccinated against the coronavirus. And in the preview of his debut in Adelaide ATP 250which kicks off on Sunday and will be his only tournament before the first Grand Slam of the season, the Serbian acknowledged that what he experienced at the beginning of 2022 in the oceanic lands “wasn’t easy to digest”, but that it was a “valuable learning experience”.

“What happened 12 months ago was not easy for me, neither for my team nor for my family. It is obviously disappointing to leave the country like that. These are events that you cannot forget. It is one of those things that they stay with you for the rest of your life. It was something I’ve never experienced before and I hope I never do again. But ultimately, it’s a valuable life experience for me,” the former number one reflected at the world.

“It’s great to be back in Australia. I was really hoping to get permission to return, because it’s a country where I’ve had a lot of success in my career,” he added. “I’ve only been here for two days but the people I’ve met at the airport, at the tournament and at the club have been really nice to me, so far so good. I’ve always felt great in Australia, always played my best tennis and “I got a lot of support. Being here today speaks to how I feel about this country. And what happened doesn’t replace everything I’ve experienced and appreciated here during my career. I can’t wait for another great summer to come.”

Djokovic had a complicated 2022, which started with the “novel” in Australia. The Serb arrived in that country on an online managed visa and a medical exemption to circumvent the entry restrictions for unvaccinated foreigners in place at the time. But the medical document exempted him from the tournament’s obligation to be vaccinated, but did not authorize him to enter the country.

The Frontier rejected him and then began a tug of war that lasted several days: first they detained him at the airport and took him to a hotel intended to host irregular immigrants; His visa was cancelled, but he was reinstated soon after and he was able to start training in Melbourne; and finally, his appeal to the Federal Supreme Court was unsuccessful and he was expelled.

The Serbian thus remained without the possibility of trying to reconfirm his title. And lost later Masters of Indian Wells 1000, You love me, Montreal Y cincinnati and the US Open (he was a finalist last year), because even the United States and Canada did not allow him to enter because he was not vaccinated.

His best moment was lived Wimbledon, where he shouted champion and added his 21st “great,” but couldn’t keep the 2,000 points he defended because the tournament didn’t give out units to sideline the Russians and Belarusians. So the number 1 gave up: he is fifth today, even if he finished eighth.

In mid-November he received good news: he could return to Australia, after the country lifted the requirement for a health passport for foreigners and the ban on applying for a visa until 2023 that weighed on him due to his expulsion. And, with energies recharged and a major change in his team – he stopped working with Argentine physiotherapist Ulises Badio -, Freight He hopes to put a difficult season behind him and start with everything in 2023.

“The goal is to win in Melbourne, that’s where I want to play at my best. At this point in my career, with all the successes, every win in a big tournament is an opportunity to make more history. Sure, that makes me feel very humble. It’s a great challenge, but also a great motivation. I don’t lack inspiration or motivation to play my best tennis,” he commented.

He continued: ‘Every Grand Slam win is special. It’s one of the main reasons I continue to compete at the top level of tennis, trying to win the big tournaments. We’ll see how far I can go. run this year”.

Djokovic knows that, year after year, the challenge to win important titles gets bigger and bigger. Not only because time is starting to take its toll – he is 35 years old and has been on the pro circuit for almost 20 – but also because young and talented rivals are emerging and complicating his path to success. However, he trusts his abilities.

“I always have faith in myself and that I can win every tournament I play. With the career I’ve had, I deserve to have that kind of mental focus. Of course, things are different. There are a lot of young people in the change of generation, but (Raphael) nadal and I continue to be strong among the greatest,” he analyzed.

“We have great players who will handle this game in the best possible way. I know what I have to do to compete with them, to be one of the title contenders here and in Melbourne. Good memories and good history that I have on Australian soil gives me positive feelings and the belief to be able to go far again,” he concluded.

And, anticipating what will be his first competition of the year (for which there is still no definite framework), he commented: “It will be very challenging. It is (Daniil) MedvedevHappy (alissime auger), (Andrew) rublov. They are really great players. It’s an ATP 250, but it feels like a higher category event, a 500 or even a Masters 1000. And there’s a good atmosphere.”

Australia, with record prizes

The 2023 edition of the Australian Open, which will take place from January 16 to 29, will distribute a record prize pool: 76.5 million Australian dollars (about 51.86 million dollars). This amount represents an increase of 3.4 percent compared to the 2022 edition and confirms the trend of the last 20 years in which the competition prizes have more than tripled.

The men’s and women’s singles champions will each receive just over two million dollars (2,975,000 in Australian currency). The number of players eliminated in the first rounds of the competition will also increase: those who fall in the first round will pocket around 72,000 dollars and those who are fired in the second round will get almost 108,000.

And players who play for the qualifiers but lose in the opening round will also benefit from the increased prize pool: They’ll make about $17,500, up three percent from last year.

Craig Tileyhead of the Oceanic Grand Slam and chief executive of Tennis Australia, said the total prize money from tournaments played during the Australian summer would exceed A$100m for the first time, the equivalent of nearly A$68m in exchange.

“Being able to offer the best opportunities is key to ensuring the success of these tournaments and ensuring that the best players are rewarded as they deserve,” Tiley stressed. “At the Australian Open we have increased the prize pool for every round from qualifying to finals, with a bigger increase in the first rounds. This prize will help players invest in their careers and in many cases, allow us to be successful throughout the year “.