Novak Djokovic was more excited than ever after reaching his 11th Australian Open final and 38th overall. The reason was the love-hate relationship he has had with the city and the country in which he has had the most success throughout his career. Of his 24 major titles, 10 of them have been on the blue of the Rod Laver Arena. His effectiveness percentage in finals is 100 per cent
“I felt the love from the crowd, I felt the support and I needed it,” Djokovic said. “That was definitely a great motivating factor for me.”
Djokovic, always behind Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, in the preferences of the local public, was deported in January 2022 for not being vaccinated against coronavirus
Australian legislation provides for a three-year visa ban for this, but Tennis Australia moved to allow the Serb to return for the 2023 edition. Not only did he return, but he also won his 10th Norman Brookes Cup.
His father, internationally accused
In the final he won against Stefanos Tsitsipas, his father Srdjan could not be there, as he provoked an international conflict by posing during the tournament with a group of fans who wore a Russian flag with the face of Vladimir Putin
The tournament’s management prohibits the display of Russian and Belarusian flags, as well as any symbols supporting the invasion of Ukraine, on the tournament grounds.
Jeered after being injured
In the last edition, Djokovic was forced to retire in the semifinals due to a muscle injury. It was after losing the first set to Alexander Zverev in the tie break and the fans who paid for their tickets took it out on him. He was greeted with a historic booing. Even Zverev had to intervene to ask for a little clemency.
“Don’t boo a player when he retires because of an injury. I know you paid the entrance fee, but Djokovic has given everything for tennis for 25 years. He won this title with a tear in his thigh and abdominal. Show some love towards him,” said the German
Novak, who keeps everything to himself, remembered the episode after reaching the final: “I’m sure the ticket price was worth it. Craig (tournament director) I want 10 percent,” he joked
Craig Tiley already showed last year his willingness for the Balkan legend to have a statue at the venue of the first major, as Rafael Nadal has at Roland Garros or Andy Murray will have at Wimbledon
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