Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic takes a selfie with a fan after his first round doubles match against Canadian Vasek Pospisil at the ATP Adelaide International in Adelaide on January 2, 2023. (Photo by Brenton EDWARDS/AFP)
Tennis fans gave Novak Djokovic a warm welcome on his first match in Australia in nearly two years when he appeared in a rare doubles match at the Adelaide International on Monday.
Playing against Canada’s Vasek Pospisil, they lost to doubles experts Tomislav Brkic and Gonzalo Escobar by 4-6, 6-3, 10/5 but received overwhelming crowd support throughout.
The Serbian superstar was deported from the country ahead of the 2022 Australian Open for not being vaccinated against COVID and then banned from re-entry for three years.
But the ban was lifted in November and he will try to win his 10th Australian Open title later this month.
The match was played on a crowded outside court, with spectators trying to squeeze in behind Djokovic.
He stepped outside to a standing ovation and fans chanted “Novak, Novak”.
Even though there were plenty of Serbian flags around, it was clear that everyone was supporting the 35-year-old, who lingered to sign autographs and take selfies after the game.
Djokovic will now focus on his first singles match of the year, against Frenchman Constant Lestienne.
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