No hard feelings as Djoko yearns for Australia return

The recent change in the Australian government could go either way for Novak Djokovic.

The Serb who was deported in January after a week in immigration detention as he tried to enter the country without a COVID vaxx said on Friday at the French Open that he’s hoping for a chance to return in 2023.

The Liberal premier Scott Morrison whose Trump-style government sent the Serb on his way before he could play the Australian Open, lost an election this month as was replaced with Labour PM Anthony Albanese.

It remains unclear if the world No. 1 would be subject to a continuing ban from the country due to his deportation – a decision which can be taken or not by officials.

The Paris top seed lives in hope: “I don’t know anything about whether my visa is going to be reinstated or whether I’m going to be allowed to come back to Australia,” he said.

“I would like to go there and play the Australian Open.”

The 35-year-old added: “I don’t hold any grudges, it was what it was. 

“If I have an opportunity to go back to Australia and play a place where I made the biggest success in my career in Grand Slams, I would love to come back.

“Let’s see how it goes.”

When he was deported, Djokovic was aiming to earn a record 10th trophy at Melbourne Park, which he last won in 2021.

Main photo:- Novak Djokovic was denied access to enter Australia by Border Force officials