The new season of tennis began on a rather unconventional note. The Australian Open was making the headlines even before the tournament started. The visa controversy involving Novak Djokovic and his subsequent deportation from Australia left the tennis fraternity stunned.

The controversy became the talk of the town with many of his fellow players taking stands for and against the Serb. Additionally, people took to the streets to voice their opinions in favor of him.

Recently, the 20-time Grand Slam champion revealed some details on this episode.

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Novak Djokovic opens up on sports and politics

The Serb is in Dubai to participate in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. However, he had a shock quarterfinals exit after losing to Jiri Vesely. While in Dubai, Djokovic detailed the events in the lead-up to the Australian Open 2022. Further, he denied the fact that his involvement had a political angle.

He said, “For me, sport has always been above politics. Although some think that I politicized this whole situation, that I deliberately wanted to enter the country and attract attention. They think that I entered politics more than sports. But the opposite is true: I left because I am an athlete and because that is the place where I recorded my best results. I wanted to respect my colleagues and that’s why I didn’t advertise until it was over.”

Further, he added, “A very ugly image of me was created. They humiliated me, if I may say so, on a world level. That is why it is important that I always have the opportunity to say something, if someone wants to ask me something, I will answer, I will repeat my answers because I have nothing else to add but what I said for the BBC.” (Translated using Google Translate)

Daniil Medvedev to replace Djokovic as World Number 1 next week

The Russian, who has been putting on some consistent performances over the last few years, will dethrone Novak Djokovic as the top-ranked player in men’s singles when the ATP rankings are updated on Monday. Medvedev will become the 27th player in history to be ranked as World Number 1 in men’s singles.

Djokovic’s absence from the Australian Open this year and fine performances by Medvedev resulted in the latter’s rise to the top. Can Djokovic reclaim the top spot later this year? Let us know your views in the comments below.

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