Novak Djokovic claims he still suffers from "trauma" when arriving in Melbourne for the Australian Open, three years after he was deported because of Australia's Covid-19 regulations. (More Tennis News)
Djokovic was not vaccinated against the virus and the Australian gove♏rnment cancelled his visa as a result, meaning he missed the 2022 event.
The Serb returned in 2023 to lift the title for a record-extending 10th time, but memories of the saga 12 months earlie🌃r still linger.
Ahead of the 2025 tournament, which begins o🌱n Sunday, he told the Herald Sun: "The last couple of times I have landed in Australia to go through passport control and immigration, I have felt a bit of trauma from three years ago.
"Some traces are still there. I am just checking out if someone from immigration is ap🌳proaching.
"Are they going to take m♉e, 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 af💞ter and I won. My parents and whole team were there, and it was actually one of the most emotional w💜ins I've ever had, considering all that I'd been through the year before."
Djokovic, who was knocked out by eventual winner Jannik Sinner in the seꦚmi-final last year, is aiming to win a record-breaking 25th grand slam when he competes at Melbourne Park next week.
If he does w𝐆in, it would see him overtake Australian Margaret Court on the all-time list, having failed to win a major title in 2024.
He is already two slams clear of Rafael Nadal on the men's list and thജis year will be supported by three-time major winner Andy Murray, who he has named as coach for this tournament.
Th💛e 37-year-old was stunned at the Brisbane International last week by world number 293 Reilly Opelka, missing the chance to clinꦜch a 100th ATP Tour title.
