Djokovic ‘emotional’ about Australian Open return

STORY: “You know I was very emotional, honestly, coming onto the court…”

Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic says he’s grateful for the warm welcome he’s getting at this year’s Australian Open.

In a Saturday press conference, Djokovic said he had no choice but to move on after his controversial deportation on the eve of previous year’s tournament for not being vaccinated against COVID-19.

“…in a way if I do hold grudges and probably if I’m not able to move on I wouldn’t be here. And also I have to say the amount of positive experiences I’ve had in Australia overwhelm the negative experience of maybe last year. My impression of Australia, my vision of Australia has always been very positive…”

On Friday, he was warmly received by a packed crowd during a practice match against home country hero Nick Kyrgios.

Djokovic received a three-year travel ban last year.

But with the removal of COVID-related border restrictions in Australia, the ban was waived in November.

That cleared the way for the former world number one to go for a 10th Australian Open title.

If he wins, he would have the same number of Grand Slam titles as Rafael Nadal, who has 22.

“I want to be the best, I want to win the biggest tournaments in the world and there’s no secrets about it.”