Novak Djokovic has opened up about lingering anxiety stemming from his controversial deportation from Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking to Australian media, the tennis star admitted he still feels unease when passing through passport control in the country.
“The last couple of times I landed in Australia, going through passport control and immigration, I had a bit of trauma from three years ago,” he said. “Some traces still remain. When I’m at passport control, I’m always checking to see if someone from immigration might approach me. I can’t help but wonder if the person checking my passport will detain me again or let me pass. I must admit, I still carry that feeling.”
Australia, known for some of the toughest pandemic restrictions globally, implemented strict measures, including vaccine mandates and prolonged lockdowns. These efforts contributed to the country achieving one of the lowest COVID-19 mortality rates in the developed world, according to a study by Imperial College London.
In January 2022, Australia deported Djokovic after a legal battle over his vaccination status, with then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison defending the move. “He sought to come to Australia and not comply with the entry rules at our border,” Morrison said at the time.
The incident sparked a diplomatic row between Australia and Serbia. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić called Australia’s actions “harassment” against Djokovic and accused the country of offending “an entire nation.”
Despite the ordeal, Djokovic made a triumphant return to Australia in 2023. He won the Australian Open for the 10th time, calling it “the biggest victory of my life,” a moment of vindication after his earlier deportation.
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