First win in Australia: Novak Djokovic
At the ATP tournament in Adelaide, the 21-time Grand Slam champion won 6: 3, 6: 2 against Frenchman Constant Lestienne. The day before, Djokovic had lost the doubles match against Tomislav Brkic (Bosnia-Herzegovina) and Gonzalo Escobar (Ecuador) alongside Canadian Vasek Pospisil in three sets.
Djokovic had tried to enter Melbourne without a corona vaccination in early 2022 before the Australian Open, but his visa was declared invalid. After days of forced quarantine in a deportation hotel and several court hearings, he had to leave the country one day before the start of the Grand Slam tournament.
Djokovic was also hit with a three-year travel ban, but this was lifted following a change of government in Australia. Now he will start the hunt for his tenth Australian Open title from January 16th. No proof of vaccination is currently required to enter Australia. (AFP)