“I have, to be quite frank”: Novak Djokovic admits still having ‘trauma’ after being deported from Australia in 2022

Novak Djokovic has admitted that he still has “trauma” from his deportation from Australia in 2022. The Serbian tennis star was deported from Australia in January 2022 after he was denied entry to the country due to his lack of a COVID-19 vaccination. Djokovic has said that the experience was “one of the toughest moments” of his life.

“I have, to be quite frank, still some traces of what happened in 2022,” Djokovic said in a recent interview. “It’s something that will stay with me for the rest of my life. It’s a scar that will never go away.”

Djokovic said that he has been working on “healing” from the experience, but that it is still a difficult process. He said that he is “grateful” for the support he has received from his family and friends, and that he is “looking forward to moving on.”

Djokovic is set to return to Australia for the Australian Open in January 2025. He said that he is “excited” to be back in the country, but that he is also “nervous.”

“I’m not going to lie, I’m a little bit nervous about going back to Australia,” Djokovic said. “But I’m also excited to be back. I love playing in Australia and I’m looking forward to competing at the Australian Open.”

Djokovic said that he is “hopeful” that he will be able to put the past behind him and focus on the tennis. He said that he is “determined” to win the Australian Open for the 10th time.