Tennis star Novak Djokovic arrives in Australia for the first time since his dramatic departure

The former world number one and nine-time Australian Open champion’s three-year visa ban was lifted ahead of the Adelaide International in January.

Djokovic arrived at Adelaide Airport without fanfare on Tuesday night, hoping to avoid the media circus that followed him the last time he was in the country.

The Australian government has since removed its requirement that overseas visitors show proof of vaccination upon entry.

Djokovic was expelled in January 2022 after he was found to have failed the Covid-19 vaccination requirements.

The star is using the Adelaide International to prepare for a 10th Australian Open, having missed out on last year’s event.

The former coalition government decided to overturn the three-year ban and grant him a visa for the 2023 race.

Djokovic was briefly detained alongside asylum seekers at the Park Hotel detention center in Melbourne’s CBD while awaiting a decision on his visa.

Twenty asylum seekers detained at the center – some for as long as nine years – were released later that year after public scrutiny attracted by tennis giants.

“You know, I was there for a week, and I can’t imagine how they felt for nine years,” he said at the time.