- Serb was deported from Australia in 2022 due to vaccination status issues.
- He is nine-time champion at Melbourne Park.
- The Serb missed out on two Grand Slams due to his stance on vaccinations.
Novak Djokovic believes the turmoil surrounding his vaccination status and deportation is behind him when he returns to the Australian Open next month.
Djokovic, a nine-time champion at Melbourne Park, was deported from Australia in 2022 due to fears that he would encourage anti-vaccine sentiment. As a result, he missed the first Grand Slam of the season.
Djokovic was denied reentry to Australia after his deportation, so the world’s fifth-ranked player is relieved to get another shot at winning the Australian Open and matching the men’s record of 22 Grand Slam titles.
“I always ask the best from myself so let´s see. Over the years I´ve been really fortunate to start very strong in Australia and I love playing there,” Djokovic told reporters at the World Tennis League in Dubai on Friday.
“After obviously what happened earlier this year, hopefully I can have a decent reception there and hopefully that can help me play some good tennis.”
The 35-year-old Djokovic missed out on two of the year’s four Grand Slam tournaments due to his position on vaccinations.
A strong finish to 2022 saw him reach the final of the Paris Masters and win titles in Tel Aviv and Astana as well as the ATP Finals in Turin.
In addition to his 42-7 win-loss record, he also won titles in Rome and Wimbledon.
The Serb has already stated his desire to continue playing well into his 40s.
To a follow-up question about whether or not he still had those views, Djokovic responded: “I hope to keep going for as long as I can. I can’t think of a specific number off the top of my head. Thus far, I’ve had really good success with how things are going for me. I have no grounds for complaint. So long as I still have the drive and ability to compete at this high level, I intend to do so.”
Iga Swiatek, meantime, was pleased to find that she ranked fifth on Forbes’ annual list of the world’s highest-paid female athletes.
The 21-year-old Pole, though, has admitted she wants to increase her endorsement portfolio so she can earn money regardless of how well she plays on the court.
Over the past year, Swiatek earned $14.9 million, with $9.9 million coming from tournament prize money, as reported by Forbes.
Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka, who have spent far less time on the tour in 2022, are the highest-paid athletes on the list, with Williams reportedly earning $41.3 million and Osaka $51.1 million.
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