"Novak Djokovic has trauma? Gotta be kidding me";"Deserves a full apology" - Fans divided over Serb's remarks on Australian Open deportation saga

Novak Djokovic recently cast his mind back to his controversial deportation from Australia in 2022 and claimed that the experience was traumatic for him to a certain extent. However, not every tennis fan agreed with the Serb's admission. While his fierce loyalists firmly stood by what he had to say, his critics ridiculed him.

In a recent interview with Herald Sun, the Serb said that across his last two trips to Australia, he felt that his 2022 COVID-19 vaccination fiasco and subsequent deportation from the country made him feel paranoid when going through passport control and immigration.

"The last couple of times I landed in Australia, to go through passport control and immigration - I had a bit of trauma from three years ago. And some traces still stay there when I'm passing passport control, just checking out if someone from immigration zone is approaching. The person checking my passport - are they going to take me, detain me again or let me go? I must admit I have that feeling," Djokovic told Herald Sun.

Several fans lambasted Novak Djokovic over his admission. Most of these fans opined that the Serb wouldn't have been deported had he simply chosen to get vaccinated.

"He has what now? Trauma? You gotta be kidding me," a fan wrote.

"If you had followed protocol and gotten vaccinated, no one would have bothered you in Australia," commented another.

"He’s so overly dramatic!! (The infamous water bottle incident- it’s been enough time we can laugh now)," another chimed in, referring to a water bottle controversially landing on the Serb's head at the 2024 Italian Open following his second-round win.

However, there were many who sided with the former World No. 1.

"He deserves a full apology. The way they treated him was absolutely disgusting," stated a fan.

"Djokovic suffered a traumatic experience in 2022. Him saying he’s had some trauma over that is fair enough. I don’t get why he’s mocked for that or his feelings are made to feel invalidated. He didn’t intentionally break any rules, he was misguided by TA. Do better guys," wrote another, hitting out at the Serb's critics.

"His name was dragged, his character was discredited and the media feasted on this, with some in HIS OWN SPORT writing the most disgustingly disparaging articles about him, including his family. So yes he’s allowed to feel trauma and a big F YOU to anyone who thinks differently," yet another fan weighed in.

The former World No. 1 would eventually return to Australia for the 2023 Australian Open, where he won the hardcourt Major for a record-extending tenth time and also equaled Rafael Nadal's Grand Slam title haul.

---

Novak Djokovic defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in Australian Open 2023 final

Novak Djokovic (L) and Stefanos Tsitsipas (R) during the trophy presentation ceremony after the 2023 Australian Open men's singles final (Source: Getty)

Djokovic made a dominant start to the 2023 Australian Open final against Stefanos Tsitsipas. While the Greek did eventually raise his level, it wasn't enough to outdo the Serb, who ultimately registered a 6-3, 7-6(4), 7-6(5) win to clinch his tenth Australian Open title and equal great rival Rafael Nadal's tally of 22 Major titles.

With further title triumphs at the 2023 editions of the French Open and the US Open, Djokovic became the first 24-time Grand Slam champion in men's tennis history. However, the Serb failed to add to his Major title haul in 2024.

Currently ranked World No. 7, the Serb recently arrived in Melbourne for the 2025 Australian Open, where he will be coached by former rival Andy Murray.