Novak Djokovic, the seven-time Australian Open champion, returns to Melbourne Park seeking his record-extending 25th Grand Slam title. This tournament holds a special place in the Serb’s heart, having captured 10 of his 24 major trophies here. While these memories are undoubtedly cherished, Djokovic’s five-day stay in the Park Hotel in Carlton, Australia, in 2022 literally became a global spectacle! Novak Djokovic’s family even labeled the whole incident as the “greatest sporting and diplomatic scandal.” Upon arriving in Melbourne, Djokovic recently acknowledged that it still lingers in his mind. What could this unsettling event be?

Three years ago, strict COVID-19 regulations were in place, including mandatory vaccination for entry into Australia. Djokovic’s refusal to comply sparked widespread public outcry and a political firestorm. He was detained and ultimately deported by the then Immigration Minister, an experience that continues to cast a shadow over his return to Melbourne. That horrifying incident left a bad taste in his mouth that hadn’t yet disappeared to date.

During a recent exclusive interview with the Melbourne’s Herald Sun newspaper, Novak Djokovic spoke about the ordeal. “I have (some trauma) to be quite frank. The last couple of times that I landed in Australia, to go through passport control and immigration — I had a bit of trauma from three years ago.” The 24-time Grand Slam champion further revealed how he feels the moment he enters the Melbourne airport.

“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,” further said Novak Djokovic. 

So, it was quite a bitter experience for Nole at that time. However, he doesn’t “hold any resentment to be honest. I don’t hold a grudge. I came like right away the year after in 2023 … and I won the Australian Open — it was my 22nd slam. My parents and whole team were there, and it was actually one of the most emotional wins that I’ve ever had considering all that I’d been through the year before.” Now, all he wants now is to win at least one more title here before he retires.

How did the tennis world react to that controversial moment featuring Djokovic, though?

Novak Djokovic received support from the Aussie tennis star during this controversy

Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios weren’t the best of friends in the Tour in the early days. For years, Kyrgios was spotted taking nasty jibes at the Serb. In one instance, he was even heard saying that Novak Djokovic was doing certain things just because he wanted “to be liked as Roger Federer.” However, things changed a bit in their relationship in 2022.

When Novak Djokovic found himself in troubled waters during the 2022 AO, Nick Kyrgios was one of the loudest in the criticism of the Australian authorities. He publicly defended the Serb and stated that he wasn’t being treated fairly by the authorities in his country. Later on, Nick Kyrgios revealed that Novak Djokovic had even reached out to him personally on IG saying,

“Thank you for standing up for me.” Even Djokovic himself had publicly thanked Kyrgios saying, “You were one of the very few colleagues on the tour that stood up, that used his platform, used his voice to support and that’s something I’ll never forget and since that moment, our relationship has gotten better.“

Even his family was also extremely grateful to Nick Kyrgios for his stand during this controversial moment in the Serb’s career. In May 2022, Djordje Djokovic even said, “I want to bring Nick Kyrgios to Belgrade, to thank him for supporting Novak, Belgrade, and Serbia. He is an entertainer, he doesn’t mince his words and he will always express his opinion, whatever it may be. But above all, he is a serious athlete and tennis player. I hope that he will come to the Serbia Open before he finishes his tennis career.“

Recently we saw the duo teaming up for a doubles event at the Brisbane International. Although they could only win one match at that tournament, their flamboyant tennis was pure bliss to watch for all the fans. Both these players were even seen cherishing their doubles reunion. Do you want to see them team up yet again in a tournament in the near future?