Novak Djokovic breaks silence on his activities since Australia deportation

02/21/2022

Novak Djokovic has provided an update on how he has occupied his time since his dramatic deportation from Australia on the eve of the opening Grand Slam of 2022.

Since being denied the chance to compete for a record 21st Grand Slam crown, the Serbian is about to return to competitive tennis action for the first time at the Dubai Tennis Championships this week.

He is due to open his campaign against Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti later today and all eyes will be on him.

In his pre-tournament press conference, the world number one revealed he resumed training about 10 days after he was ordered to leave Australia and had been playing tennis for the past three weeks.

"It wasn't really difficult for me to pick up a racket and go out and practice the sport and just play," he said.

"I'm as well prepared as I possibly can be and excited to again be able to tour."

Djokovic's visa issues and Covid stance upon arrival in Australia ahead of the first Grand Slam of the year gripped the sporting world, and it certainly took its toil on the world No 1.

He added: "There were lots of emotions after I came back from Australia. It was strange. I was disappointed, I was sad about the way it all has played out and the way I left the country."

Meanwhile, Djokovic stressed his stance on the Covid vaccine in an interview with BBC last week and as he is not jabbed, he would be willing to forego opportunities to win some tournaments.

The Serbian will play wherever rules and regulations will allow, and he has admitted he is just happy to be back on the court once again.

"Whatever tournament I'll be able to play I'll be trying to get to that country and play that tournament," he added.

"I really can't choose. It's really about where I can go and play."

There is significant pressure on the 34-year-old’s first tournament of 2022, as his world number one ranking is up for grabs.

The ATP’s second ranked player Daniil Medvedev, who is playing in Acapulco this week at the Mexican Open, will have the opportunity to usurp Djokovic at the summit of men’s tennis, depending on how both perform over the next few days.

If he does lose the top spot this week, the tennis legend claims he will be the first to congratulate his rival.

"Eventually it's going to happen and if it happens this week, I'll be the first one to congratulate him," said Djokovic, who has spent more weeks at world number one than any other men's tennis player.

Medvedev, who is the top seed in Mexico, will begin his tournament against Frenchman Beniot Paire tomorrow.

Rafael Nadal, the men's Grand Slam record holder, is also competing in South America and will contest his first match at the Mexican Open against America' Denis Kudla on Tuesday.

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