Novak Djokovic says he still feels ‘trauma’ on Australia trip over expulsion

Novak Djokovic said he still feels “a bit of trauma” from his trip to Australia, stemming from his 2022 deportation because he was not vaccinated against COVID-19.

“The last two times I landed in Australia, to go through passport control and immigration, I had a little trauma from three years ago,” Djokovic said in an interview with the Herald Sun newspaper. of Melbourne published Monday, before the Australian Open. . “And some traces stay there when I go through passport control, just to check if anyone from the immigration area is approaching.”

Djokovic, who has won 10 of his 24 Grand Slam championships at Melbourne Park, continued: “The person who checks my passport, is he going to take me away, hold me again or let me go? I have to admit I have this feeling.

In 2022, Djokovic requested, and initially received, an exemption that would allow him to compete in the Australian Open — and the country — even though there were strict rules requiring shots to protect against the coronavirus. But after his flight landed, he was detained at the airport, his visa was canceled and he was sent to an immigrant hotel.

A judge later reinstated the visa and ordered Djokovic’s release, ruling he had not had enough time to speak to his lawyers. Australia’s Immigration Minister then withdrew the visa again, on the basis of “public interest”. Djokovic’s appeal against the decision was rejected by a three-judge panel and he was expelled. He faced a possible three-year travel ban as someone whose visa had been revoked, but Australia experienced a change of government, its pandemic border rules changed and a new immigration minister granted Djokovic a visa in 2023 – when he subsequently claimed the trophy.

“I have no hard feelings, to be honest,” Djokovic told the Herald Sun of the saga. “I don’t hold grudges.”

The Australian Open begins on Sunday and Djokovic will attempt to win his 11th trophy in Melbourne to add to his men’s record and an unprecedented 25th major singles title.

A year ago, Djokovic lost in the semi-final to future champion Jannik Sinner.

“I just hope, before I retire, to win at least one more title there,” said Djokovic, 37, whose only tournament triumph in 2024 was his singles gold for the Serbia at the Paris Olympics in August.

Djokovic opened 2025 at the Brisbane International last week, losing in the quarter-finals to Reilly Opelka.

At the Australian Open, Djokovic will play his first event alongside new coach Andy Murray, his old on-court rival and three-time major champion who retired as a player after the Summer Games. Murray and Djokovic announced they would team up in the first Grand Slam tournament of the year.