DUBAI: Novak Djokovic is hoping he’ll obtain a heat welcome from the general public when he returns to the Australian Open subsequent month, now that the drama surrounding his vaccination standing and deportation is formally in the back of him.
A nine-time champion at Melbourne Park, Djokovic used to be not able to compete within the opening Grand Slam of the season in 2022 after he used to be deported from Australia over fears he would incite anti-vax sentiment.
As a results of his deportation, Djokovic used to be banned from getting into Australia once more however that call has been reversed and the sector quantity 5 is happy he’ll get the risk to vie for a tenth identify in Melbourne and a males’s record-equaling twenty second main crown general .
“I always ask the best from myself so let’s see. Over the years I’ve been really fortunate to start very strong in Australia and I love playing there,” Djokovic informed journalists on the World Tennis League in Dubai on Friday.
“After obviously what happened earlier this year, hopefully I can have a decent reception there and hopefully that can help me play some good tennis.”
The 35-year-old Djokovic used to be not able to compete in two of the 4 majors this 12 months as his vaccination stance intended he used to be additionally pressured to sit down out the United States Open.
However, he completed his 2022 marketing campaign with a bang, successful titles in Tel Aviv, Astana and the ATP Finals in Turin, in addition to achieving the general of the Paris Masters.
He additionally picked up trophies in Rome and Wimbledon and tallied up a 42-7 win-loss checklist right through the season.
The Serb had discussed up to now that he want to play into his 40s.
Asked if he nonetheless felt that manner, Djokovic stated: “I would like to play as long as I possibly can. I don’t really have any number in my head. Things are progressing so far pretty well for me. I can’t complain. So as long as I play at this level, as long as I have the fire, I’ll keep going.”
Meanwhile, global primary Iga Swiatek used to be satisfied to look herself land within the 5th spot on Forbes’ annual record of the sector’s highest-paid feminine athletes.
However, the 21-year-old Pole admits she hopes to amplify her endorsement portfolio so her profits don’t seem to be simply depending on her performances on courtroom.
According to Forbes, Swiatek has made $14.9 million over the last 12 months, $9.9 million of which got here from event prize cash.
Meanwhile, Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams – who’ve spent considerably much less time competing on excursion in 2022 – are the highest two athletes at the record, with the previous reportedly incomes $51.1 million and the latter making $41.3 million.
“It’s not my motivation. The most fun I have on court is when I actually don’t think about things like that,” confident Swiatek, who will win 8 titles in 2022, together with two Grand Slams.
“I’m pretty happy that my life has changed so much that I can compete at the highest level and earn so much money from it because this is also something that is really helping us appreciate the sport we have.”
A nine-time champion at Melbourne Park, Djokovic used to be not able to compete within the opening Grand Slam of the season in 2022 after he used to be deported from Australia over fears he would incite anti-vax sentiment.
As a results of his deportation, Djokovic used to be banned from getting into Australia once more however that call has been reversed and the sector quantity 5 is happy he’ll get the risk to vie for a tenth identify in Melbourne and a males’s record-equaling twenty second main crown general .
“I always ask the best from myself so let’s see. Over the years I’ve been really fortunate to start very strong in Australia and I love playing there,” Djokovic informed journalists on the World Tennis League in Dubai on Friday.
“After obviously what happened earlier this year, hopefully I can have a decent reception there and hopefully that can help me play some good tennis.”
The 35-year-old Djokovic used to be not able to compete in two of the 4 majors this 12 months as his vaccination stance intended he used to be additionally pressured to sit down out the United States Open.
However, he completed his 2022 marketing campaign with a bang, successful titles in Tel Aviv, Astana and the ATP Finals in Turin, in addition to achieving the general of the Paris Masters.
He additionally picked up trophies in Rome and Wimbledon and tallied up a 42-7 win-loss checklist right through the season.
The Serb had discussed up to now that he want to play into his 40s.
Asked if he nonetheless felt that manner, Djokovic stated: “I would like to play as long as I possibly can. I don’t really have any number in my head. Things are progressing so far pretty well for me. I can’t complain. So as long as I play at this level, as long as I have the fire, I’ll keep going.”
Meanwhile, global primary Iga Swiatek used to be satisfied to look herself land within the 5th spot on Forbes’ annual record of the sector’s highest-paid feminine athletes.
However, the 21-year-old Pole admits she hopes to amplify her endorsement portfolio so her profits don’t seem to be simply depending on her performances on courtroom.
According to Forbes, Swiatek has made $14.9 million over the last 12 months, $9.9 million of which got here from event prize cash.
Meanwhile, Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams – who’ve spent considerably much less time competing on excursion in 2022 – are the highest two athletes at the record, with the previous reportedly incomes $51.1 million and the latter making $41.3 million.
“It’s not my motivation. The most fun I have on court is when I actually don’t think about things like that,” confident Swiatek, who will win 8 titles in 2022, together with two Grand Slams.
“I’m pretty happy that my life has changed so much that I can compete at the highest level and earn so much money from it because this is also something that is really helping us appreciate the sport we have.”