In brief
In a candid interview, Novak Djokovic recounted the emotional trauma he still feels when arriving in Melbourne, three years after his deportation due to Covid-related visa issues. The Serbian tennis star, who was unvaccinated, faced a tumultuous legal battle that led to his exclusion from the 2022 Australian Open. Reinvented by the controversy, Djokovic returned the following year to reclaim his title, winning his tenth Australian Open. As Djokovic prepares for this year's Grand Slam, he admitted to feeling residual anxiety during passport control, expressing concerns about possible detainment, even as he acknowledges not holding a grudge against Australia. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese weighed in on the government's prior actions affecting Djokovic's circumstances, emphasizing the challenges of navigating the pandemic.
