Serbian flags waved and Rod Laver Arena rose to give Novak Djokovic a rapturous welcome again to the Australian Open on Tuesday, a 12 months after he was kicked in another country.

The nine-time Australian Open champion was deported on the eve of final 12 months’s Grand Slam occasion due to his stance on Covid vaccines.

But spectators, amongst them members of Melbourne’s Serbian neighborhood, gave him a rousing reception as he entered the court docket he has made his personal down the years to face Spain’s 75th-ranked Roberto Carballes Baena.

It has been 1,821 days for the reason that Serbian nice final misplaced a match at Melbourne Park and he appeared within the temper to proceed that run as he slapped down an ace with the opening serve of his match, to an enormous roar.

Fans had earlier been not sure of the welcome Djokovic would possibly obtain after his three-year ban from Australia was lifted in November, enabling him to go for a record-extending 10th victory at Melbourne Park.

The Serb’s makes an attempt to compete with a medical exemption in 2022 angered many Australians in a metropolis that endured among the longest lockdowns on the planet on the peak of the pandemic.

But on a scorching-hot day 12 months later, most believed it was time to transfer on from final 12 months’s saga.

“I don’t know the way he goes from being a nationwide risk a 12 months in the past to being allowed to play, however that’s a dialogue for an additional time,” said Goran, who was draped in the Serbian flag, referencing one of the reasons that Australia deported Djokovic.

“He’s gonna win it. He’s going to win his 10th and he’s going to secure himself as the best of all time. It’s never going to be close. He’s not going to drop a set.”

– ‘Not a fan’ –

Australian Open organisers have mentioned any followers concentrating on Djokovic can be slapped with potential event bans.

There was no trace of public dissent on his return, however some stay quietly unconvinced.

“I’m not a fan of Djokovic however you may’t deny his genius,” said Australian spectator Rob, who like other fans only wanted to give their first name.

“Emotionally, he rubs me up the wrong way. But I think in terms of what happened last year, it is literally in the past,” added his pal Tom. “I don’t suppose there isn’t any cause that he shouldn’t be enjoying.”

Rob described why he thought Djokovic had never historically won over the Australian public in the same way as his great rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

“I think it’s about demeanour,” he mentioned. “It’s only a private choice, for my part, for the way in which that Roger, Rafa and Ash (Barty) would conduct themselves.

“I’m studying ‘The Remains of the Day’ in the intervening time and the butler talks about dignity on a regular basis. And I feel that’s a top quality that these gamers have.”

Many of the Serbian fans at Melbourne Park did not have tickets for the centre court night session when their hero was in action, but instead cheered him on from big screens in the gardens.

“I was at the charity match with (Nick) Kyrgios the other night,” added Goran. “And he received a heat reception. The crowd appear to love him.

“So it’s good to have him again.”

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