A few days after landing in Adelaide (Australia), Serbian Novak Djokovic delivered his first words on Australian territory which had expelled him last year due to his non-vaccination against Covid-19.
He stressed that he would probably never forget the episode of his expulsion from the country, but expressed his desire "to move forward" when starting his 2023 season in Australia.
"It's part of the things that don't let go, that stay with you for, I guess, the rest of your life," he told the local press on Thursday.
"As I said, I had never experienced anything like it, and I hope I never have to face it again," he added.
This year, his welcome has been warm.
"I've only been here for two days but (...) everyone has been very pleasant, extremely nice to me," noted the former world No. 1.
“I always felt very good in Australia, I always played my best tennis and I had a lot of support there, so I hope to have another great summer”.
Not concerned by the United Cup, a new mixed team competition, Djokovic, now 5th in the world, will play his first tournament of the year (ATP Adelaide) from January 1 to 8, before trying to win a 22nd Grand Slam title during of the Australian Open in Melbourne (January 15-29).
He could then equal Rafael Nadal's record.
The Spaniard was also delighted with the presence of Djokovic in Australia: "Novak is there, it's good for tennis, good probably for the fans".
But the two stars do not forget the presence of the new generation: "Things are obviously different... There are new guys on the circuit, a kind of generational change but you know, among the older ones, Nadal and I am still solid, ”warned Novak Djokovic.