Novak Djokovic

2023 - 1 - 18

Post cover — Image courtesy of "Associated Press"

Novak Djokovic gets warm Australian Open welcome, then wins (Associated Press)

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The supportive signs and dozens of Serbian flags and loud chants of Novak Djokovic's nickname filled Rod Laver Arena, ...

This was not necessarily Djokovic at his absolute best, and he appeared to show some frustration early on when he kept glaring and muttering in the direction of coach Goran Ivanisevic and the rest of his entourage in the stands. Grading his play, Djokovic said he found he was “kind of going up and down” in the second set, but didn’t give his opponent “too much chance to breathe” in the third. As for his hamstring, Djokovic said he was apprehensive about it going into the match, but afterward this was his assessment: “The leg is good. That’s because Djokovic never got to play a point last season at the site of nine of his major championships, because his visa was blocked and he was deported from Australia after a legal saga tied to his lack of any vaccination for COVID-19. But Australia’s government has since relaxed coronavirus-related restrictions, allowing Djokovic to come to the country, and also waived a rule that could have stopped him from getting in for three years following a visa revocation. He held at love there, took control of that set with a 12-point run and was on his way to a 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 victory over 75th-ranked Roberto Carballes Baena that finished after midnight.

Novak Djokovic crushes Carballés Baena on joyous Australian ... (The Guardian)

On his return to competition at the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic sailed into round two with a comfortable 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 win over Roberto Carballés Baena.

“That’s probably one of the reasons I’ve been fortunate to win a lot of matches on this court, particularly in the night sessions. Holger Rune, the ninth seed, moved into the second round with a comfortable 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 win over Filip Krajinovic. “The more you win on a certain court, the more comfortable and confident you feel every next time you step on it,” he said. “Definitely this court is the most special court in my life and I couldn’t ask for a better start in the tournament.” After establishing a two-set lead, Djokovic picked apart his opponent in the third. [his deportation last year](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/jan/17/novak-djokovic-deported-for-trying-to-breach-australias-border-rules-scott-morrison-says), Novak Djokovic moved into the second round with a comfortable 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 win over Spain’s Roberto Carballés Baena in just over two hours on Rod Laver Arena.

Australian Open tennis: Novak Djokovic beats Roberto Carballes ... (New Zealand Herald)

Djokovic wouldn't have known what to expect after his 2022 deportation saga.

Definitely this court is the most special court in my life. The Italian had the chance to win deep in the fifth set but blew it, hitting a simple crosscourt backhand into the net on match point. It comes after an eventful start to the tournament after The British veteran took the first two sets but Berrettini fought back to force a fifth and deciding set. “Couldn’t ask for a better start to the tournament so thank you for your support. In fact there was just one person who lashed out before the match, yelling “you’re a wanker Novak” as he prepared to start the game.

Novak Djokovic feels the love on Australian Open return as he ... (ABC News)

After the COVID vaccination and deportation mess of 2022, Novak Djokovic could be forgiven for being a bit wary ahead of his Australian Open return in 2023, ...

the last time they were here, the only time they were, was in 2008. I know how to behave, I know how to handle it. "I'm really glad to have them here …

Novak Djokovic thanks crowd for 'dream' reception on winning ... (Stuff.co.nz)

Novak Djokovic won on his Australian Open comeback and got a warm reception after missing last year's tournament because of his deportation saga. Nine-time ...

Today was a really good test." "The leg is good. "So it took me a little bit of time to really get into the match and start moving more freely. "I was kind of testing my leg a little bit. * So much love.

Novak Djokovic says return to Rod Laver Arena exceded his wildest ... (Tennis365)

Novak Djokovic hasn't slipped at all in the time he has been away from the Rod Laver Arena Court.

[Australian Open](https://www.tennis365.com/category/australian-open/) [News](https://www.tennis365.com/category/news/) “I was really looking forward to the match. To play in that kind of atmosphere helps a lot with the tennis. [No cracks in Andrey Rublev’s game during straight sets romp over Dominic Thiem](https://www.tennis365.com/australian-open/no-cracks-andrey-rublevs-game-straight-sets-romp-over-dominic-thiem/) [discovery+](https://www.discoveryplus.com/gb/sport/tennis/australian-open?utm_campaign=UK-EU-D1-WBD-C11-PR-CAM-AW-W-Tennis-AustralianOpen-221221-NA&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pr.com&utm_content=text-paid-prcom-id1) and Eurosport

Time to end the farcical myths built up around Novak Djokovic (Tennis365)

Novak Djokovic cemented his status as the firm favorite for this year's Australian Open title with a convincing win in his opening match on Monday – and now ...

[Australian Open](https://www.tennis365.com/category/australian-open/) I couldn’t ask for a better start to the tournament.” [News](https://www.tennis365.com/category/news/)

Australian Open: Novak Djokovic soaks in applause after dominant ... (Newshub)

The nine-times champion outclassed Roberto Carballes Baena in a flawless start to his title bid.

Novak Djokovic gets warm Australian Open welcome, then wins (The Washington Post)

MELBOURNE, Australia — The supportive signs and dozens of Serbian flags and loud chants of Novak Djokovic's nickname filled Rod Laver Arena, ...

This was not necessarily Djokovic at his absolute best, and he appeared to show some frustration early on when he kept glaring and muttering in the direction of coach Goran Ivanisevic and the rest of his entourage in the stands. That’s because Djokovic never got to play a point last season at the site of nine of his major championships, because his visa was blocked and he was deported from Australia after a legal saga tied to his lack of any vaccination for COVID-19. But Australia’s government has since relaxed coronavirus-related restrictions, allowing Djokovic to come to the country, and also waived a rule that could have stopped him from getting in for three years following a visa revocation. He has insisted that whole episode in January 2022 deeply affected him but that he does not hold a grudge; there certainly did not seem to be any hard feelings toward him Tuesday. He held at love there, took control of that set with a 12-point run and was on his way to a 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 victory over 75th-ranked Roberto Carballes Baena that finished after midnight. Tuesday, then got down to business by playing quite well and only briefly showing a hint of trouble from the balky left hamstring that was heavily taped.

Novak Djokovic moved by hero's welcome at Rod Laver Arena (Tennis365)

Novak Djokovic was given a hero's welcome as he returned to the Australian Open with a straight-sets victory over Roberto Carballes Baena.

[Australian Open](https://www.tennis365.com/category/australian-open/) “I know that at times I’ve got some pressure on myself to deliver. [News](https://www.tennis365.com/category/news/) I take it with pride ultimately.” No matter what happens from now, the tournament is already a success for me.” Carballes Baena, ranked 75, offered plenty of resistance in the first two sets, with Djokovic having to recover from 0-40 at 2-2. I couldn’t ask for a better start to the tournament.” [Live Tennis](https://www.tennis365.com/category/live-tennis/) [No cracks in Andrey Rublev’s game during straight sets romp over Dominic Thiem](https://www.tennis365.com/australian-open/no-cracks-andrey-rublevs-game-straight-sets-romp-over-dominic-thiem/)

Novak Djokovic

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