Djoker keen for return to Aussie Open
NOVAK Djokovic has revealed plans to return Down Under to win a 10th Australian Open, despite facing a three-year ban following his deportation last month.
In an interview with Serbian TV, Djokovic said he still wanted to come back to Melbourne and play on Rod Laver Arena again.
“I want to come back to Australia,” Djokovic told Serbian national TV (RTS). “A lot of professional and personal beautiful things happened to me there. Despite all this, I have a great connection with Australia.”
Whether Djokovic can come back to Australia any time soon remains the big question. He has publicly stated he won’t get vaccinated against Covid and is willing to miss grand slam titles to stand up for his belief.
There is also the matter of his ban from the Australian government after his deportation, but he can apply for special dispensation from the Immigration Minister to enter the country.
Whether Australia’s stance softens in the next few months remains to be seen, but Djokovic’s latest interview is perhaps a sign of his desperation to claw back some public support.
For the first time Djokovic showed genuine remorse for some of his behaviour in recent months, including attending an interview with L’equipe newspaper the day after being advised he had tested positive to Covid last December.
“I admit that it was selfish what I’ve done by attending the interview with L’equipe. My mistake which I own. I understand that not all people will forgive me and I understand the critics,” he said.