It is difficult to imagine a Grand Slam without the defending champion and World Number 1 playing. But such was the turn of the events that Novak Djokovic was denied a chance to defend his Australian Open title.

The Serb was embroiled in controversy ever since he had set his footing Down Under. He was granted a vaccine exemption to participate in the opening Grand Slam of the season. However, on arrival at the Melbourne airport, his visa was canceled, and he was subsequently detained by the airport authorities.

Further, Djokovic filed an appeal against his detention in the Federal Court of Australia. Judge Anthony Kelly ruled in favor of the Serb. However, Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke exercised his powers and canceled his visa again. Finally, a day before the Australian Open started, the 20-time Grand Slam champion lost the final appeal and decided to return to his hometown.

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The Italian admitted he would have liked to see Djokovic play at the Grand Slam Down Under. He said, “I spoke to Djokovic when they kicked him out of Australia. It was all very crazy. He fought it because he knew he could do it. Only he knows if he had Covid. It’s very private. It was sad: there was more talk about that than about a Grand Slam. I don’t want to say anything more. I would have liked to see him play.” 

(Quotes have been translated using Google Translate)

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As the controversy unfolded, it became the talk of the town. The entire tennis fraternity was voicing its opinions on this matter. Further, his fellow players expressed their views for and against the Serb. People took to the streets to show their support for the 20-time Grand Slam champion.

Djokovic would want to put behind his disappointing start to the 2022 season as he gears up for the upcoming tournaments. He will next play at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, which is an ATP 500 tournament in Dubai, UAE.

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