Hundreds of followers have flocked to Adelaide’s ‘sunken showcourt’ to catch a glimpse of controversial Serbian star Novak Djokovic in his first match on Australian shores since he was sensationally deported.
But it wasn’t all glory for the returning champion, dropping a match tie-break in his first Australian look in two years.
Djokovic begins his singles marketing campaign on the Adelaide International tomorrow, however partnered Canadian Vasek Pospisil in a doubles tie towards Tomislav Brkic and Gonzalo Escobar.
The nine-time Australian Open winner drew a capability crowd to the Memorial Drive Tennis Centre’s second courtroom, whereas tons of extra lined the standing room on the high of the world.
Djokivic and his associate received the primary set 6-4, however misplaced 3-6 within the second, and had been outdone in a match-deciding tie-break.
His first look on-court in Australia since 2021 comes after he was detained after which deported from the nation throughout final 12 months’s grand slam earlier than embarking on an extended battle to have a three-year visa ban overturned, making him eligible for this 12 months’s occasions.
Djokovic’s first singles match within the nation since he received the 2021 Australian Open comes on Tuesday, in a first-round match with Frenchman Constant Lestienne.
If he wins, he may play Australian wildcard Jordan Thompson in a quarter-final. Thompson faces sixty fourth ranked Quentin Halys from France this afternoon.
Russian star Daniil Medvedev, countryman Andrey Rublev and Italian Jannik Sinner are additionally set to play in Adelaide subsequent week.
