Djokovic expects a warm reception in his return to Australian Open

• Novak Djokovic is hopeful for a warm welcome at Australian Open.
• Iga Swiatek was pleased to place fifth of highest-paid female athletes.
• Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams are the two highest paid athletes in world.

Novak Djokovic is hopeful that he will receive a warm welcome when he returns to the Australian Open next month, now that the controversy surrounding his immunisation status and deportation has been resolved.

Djokovic, a nine-time champion at Melbourne Park, was unable to compete in the opening Grand Slam of the season in 2022 due to fears that he might encourage anti-vaccine sentiment by remaining in Australia.

As a result of his expulsion, Djokovic was barred from reentering Australia, but that decision has been changed, and the world’s fifth-ranked tennis player is excited to compete for a 10th title in Melbourne and a record-tying 22nd major title overall.

“I expect the best from myself at all times, so let’s see. Djokovic told reporters at the World Tennis League in Dubai on Friday, “Over the years, I’ve been incredibly lucky to start very strong in Australia, and I love playing there.”
“After what obviously transpired earlier this year, I’m hoping for a favourable reaction and that it will help me play excellent tennis.”

Due to his anti-vaccination stance, the 35-year-old Djokovic was unable to compete in two of the four majors this year, including the US Open.

Nonetheless, he concluded his 2022 season on a high note, capturing titles in Tel Aviv, Astana, and the ATP Finals in Turin, and reaching the final of the Paris Masters.

He also won titles in Rome and Wimbledon and finished the season with a 42-7 win-loss record.

The Serb had previously expressed a desire to play into his forties.
When asked if he still felt this way, Djokovic responded, “I’d like to play for as long as possible. I have no number in particular in my brain. Things are going fairly nicely for me thus far. I cannot whine. So long as I continue to play at this level and maintain my drive, I will continue.”

Meanwhile, world number one Iga Swiatek was pleased to place fifth on Forbes’ annual list of the highest-paid female athletes in the world.

However, the 21-year-old Pole aspires to extend her endorsement portfolio so that her income is not only dependent on her on-court success. Swiatek earned $14.9 million during the past year, $9.9 million of which came from tournament prize money, according to Forbes.

Meanwhile, Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams, who have spent substantially less time participating on tour in 2022, are the two highest-paid athletes, with Osaka reportedly earning $51.1 million and Williams $41 million.

“This is not what drives me. Swiatek, who won eight titles in 2022, including two Grand Slams, stated confidently, “I have the greatest enjoyment on the court when I don’t think about such things.”

“I’m fairly pleased that my life has improved to the point where I can participate at the top level and earn so much money from it, as this is also helping us appreciate the sport we have.”

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Novak Djokovic to return to Australian Open next month

Serb was deported from Australia in 2022 due to vaccination status issues....