Novak Djokovic played his first singles match in Australia since being deported last year with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Constant Lestienne at the Adelaide International 1 on Tuesday.
The 35-year-old Serb was deported on the eve of the 2022 Australian Open for not being vaccinated against covid and received a three-year travel ban across the country.
The ban was lifted in November, and the 35-year-old has received a warm welcome in Adelaide, where he is preparing for the hard-court Grand Slam. Djokovic was at the center of a political storm in Melbourne last year after arriving on a medical exemption, and the decision to grant the nine-time champion entry outraged many in Australia as the country battled a surge in infections.
After being well received by fans during a rare doubles appearance on Monday, Djokovic began his preparations for the January 16-29 Australian Open against world number 65 Lestienne.
The Serb told reporters that he had no expectations for Melbourne. "Now my attention is here in Adelaide trying to do well in this tournament," Djokovic told reporters after beating Constant Lestienne in his first singles match since his return.
"Obviously Melbourne, Grand Slam, is different... so many players, both on the women's and men's sides." "I'll be there also a week before my first match, as I usually do, training, getting used to the difference in conditions and the speed of the court... we'll see. I hope they receive me well."
Djokovic is aiming to win his tenth Australian Open crown, a record that would allow him to match Rafa Nadal's 22 Grand Slam titles.
