Adelaide International: Djokovic greeted warmly upon his return to Australia

• Novak Djokovic made a rare appearance at the Adelaide International on Monday.
•  Vasek Pospisil suffered a 4-6, 6-3, 10-5 loss to Tomislav Brkic and Gonzalo Escobar.
• It was World No.5’s first appearance in Australia since winning 2021 Australian Open.

Novak Djokovic, a legendary tennis player from Serbia, was warmly welcomed back to Australia on Monday as he played a rare doubles match at the Adelaide International.

On his first trip back to Australia since winning the 2021 Australian Open, the Serb lost to Tomislav Brkic and Gonzalo Escobar 4-6, 6-3, 10-5. He was partnered with Canadian Vasek Pospisil.

The crowd gave the 21-time Grand Slam champion a tonne of encouragement. When he entered the court, he was greeted with roaring applause and “Novak, Novak” chants.

Djokovic received a three-year entry suspension and was deported prior to the Australian Open 2022 due to his Covid-19 vaccination status.

Djokovic’s three-year visa suspension was lifted by Immigration Minister Andrew Giles in November, allowing him to enter the nation.

Last January, Djokovic was detained by the Australian Border Force upon entering the country and was made to overnight at an immigration hotel despite his claims that he had secured a medical exemption because he had recently recovered from Covid.

However, following a court dispute, the Australian government revoked Djokovic’s visa, claiming that he did not comply with the country’s admission rules. As a result, he is now prohibited from entering Australia until 2025.

The top seed in the singles event in Adelaide, Novak Djokovic will play Frenchman Constant Lestienne on Tuesday.

With nine victories in Melbourne, the No. 5 player in the world is only one Grand Slam victory away from Rafael Nadal’s record of 22 victories in men’s tennis.

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