Novak Djokovic is gearing up to compete at the 2026 Australian Open after withdrawing from the Adelaide International, citing personal reasons. The Serb and the city of Melbourne have a significant relationship that dates back to 2008, when the former World No. 1 triumphed there for the first time, and the rest is history.
To date, Djokovic is placed second on the list of players with the most championships at a particular Grand Slam. With 10 Australian Open titles, he trails only Rafael Nadal, who won a record 14 French Open titles. The Serb has time and again proven his might at Melbourne Park, and at 38, he will hope to do the same again.
However, in 2022, Djokovic’s visa was revoked for failing to comply with the COVID-19 vaccine regulations, thereby preventing him from defending his title. While Djokovic had filed a couple of petitions, he won the first but lost the second. His visa was ultimately canceled.
In a recent interview with SEN, former Australian ATP pro Paul McNamee issued a strong defense for the Serb, while at the same time noting that Djokovic found it tough to garner the affection from the Australian fans despite the massive success in the country.
“His record is the greatest, and there’s no doubt about that. Most years ranked No. 1, and he’s won most Grand Slams. He’s only got seven Wimbledon titles, but Roger has eight. However, Novak has the overall numbers to make him the greatest. I think he’s just got a little bit too much drama for the palette of the average Australian. It just rubs Aussies the wrong way,” said McNamee.
“I know Novak personally, and he’s a lovely guy, but he rubs Aussies the wrong way. I can see that. His mannerisms are not our thing, but he’s a good bloke. The way we treated him in COVID, kicking him out, I was ashamed. The healthiest guy on the planet, we kicked him out of the country. It was a shocker,” he added.
When Novak Djokovic Defended His Decision To Not Get Vaccinated For The 2022 Australian Open
“Yes. The principles of decision making on my body are more important than any title.”
