Novak Djokovic given hero's welcome in Adelaide | Inquirer Sports

Novak Djokovic given hero’s welcome in Adelaide

/ 03:11 PM January 02, 2023

n after his first round doubles match with Canadian Vasek Pospisil at the ATP Adelaide International tournament in Adelaide on January 2, 2023.

Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic has a selfie with a fan after his first round doubles match with Canadian Vasek Pospisil at the ATP Adelaide International tournament in Adelaide on January 2, 2023. (Photo by Brenton EDWARDS / AFP)

Tennis fans gave Novak Djokovic a raucous welcome during his first match in Australia in almost two years when he made a rare doubles appearance at the Adelaide International on Monday.

Playing with Canada’s Vasek Pospisil, they lost to doubles specialists Tomislav Brkic and Gonzalo Escobar 4-6, 6-3, 10/5 but enjoyed overwhelming crowd support along the way.

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The Serbian superstar was deported from the country before the 2022 Australian Open for not being vaccinated for COVID and was subsequently barred from re-entering for three years.

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But the ban was lifted in November and he will be attempting to win a 10th Australian Open title later this month.

The match was played on a packed outside court, with the spectators who managed to get in firmly behind Djokovic.

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He walked out to loud cheers and fans chanting “Novak, Novak”.

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While there were plenty of Serbian flags courtside, it became obvious that everyone was barracking for the 35-year-old, who stayed behind to sign autographs and pose for selfies after the match.

Djokovic will now focus on his first singles of the year, against Frenchman Constant Lestienne.

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TAGS: Australian Open, Novak Djokovic

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