Google News 'Those feelings are still inside Novak Djokovic as...', says top analyst
by SIMONE BRUGNOLI | VIEW 3178
Novak Djokovic is back in Australia. After the events of last January, between the revocation of his visa and the days spent in the "immigrants" hotel, the Belgrade-born tennis player has returned to the country that saw him win nine times out of a total of twenty-one Slam titles.
: here he will play the first tournament of the season, specifically the one in Adelaide. Now that the worst is over, the former world number one spoke about the sensations of last year and how the wounds they left behind are not easily forgotten.
"It's great to be back in Australia. What happened 12 months ago was not easy for me, neither for my team nor for my family. Of course it's disappointing to leave the country like this. I had high hopes of getting permission to return to Australia, because it is a country where I have had great success in my career, especially Melbourne, with my most satisfying Grand Slam.
I have always felt very good in Australia, I have always played my best tennis and I have received a lot of support", he declared at a press conference before the start of the ATP 250. "What happened last year are events that cannot be forgotten.
It's one of those things that stays with you for the rest of your life. It was something I had never experienced before and I hope never again. However, what happened does not replace everything I have experienced in Melbourne and Australia throughout my career," continued the Serbian tennis player.
Novak Djokovic's season will begin in Adelaide, with the 250 tournament, and the Serbian explains the reasons for this decision: "I chose Adelaide because I wanted to play a tournament before the Australian Open.
Amritraj praises Djokovic
Novak Djokovic will be the biggest talking point at the 2023 Australian Open, according to former tennis player Prakash Amritraj.
"Look, there's going to be some serious contenders there," Amritraj stated. "We're gonna see Carlos Alcaraz coming back healthy, youngest No. 1 ever we had on the tour and I know we will get to this, but I think our guy Nick Kyrgios has got a good shot to make something special happen Down Under.
But look, the biggest story line has to be Novak, especially after the way he had to leave last year. Those feelings are still inside him as he sort of came back. Novak loves a little chip on his shoulder and that will help bolster him.
A lot of great athletes work this way. I cannot wait to see how hungry he comes out this year," he asserted.