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Novak Djokovic Marks His Return To Australian Open With Victory

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It was a sweet return to the Australian Open for Novak Djokovic as he defeated Roberto Carballes Baena in his first-round game.

Novak Djokovic who was deported from Australia over a year ago for breaching Covid-19 protocol received a resounding welcome back to Melbourne.

The Serbian thanked the crowd for a “welcoming reception he could only dream of” after he made the perfect return to the Australian Open with a victory over Roberto Carballes Baena.

Djokovic won 6-3 6-4 6-0 in his first Grand Slam match in Melbourne since his controversial deportation in 2022.

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The 35-year-old tennis icon walked out to loud cheers, with flags and banners displayed around Rod Laver Arena.

Chants of “Nole! Nole! Nole!” also rang around the 15,000-capacity arena after Djokovic won crucial points in a one-sided first-round match against Spain’s Carballes Baena.

“I couldn’t ask for a better start to the tournament,” the fourth-seed Serbian star said.

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“Thank you for giving me such a welcoming reception that I could only dream of,” he told the packed crowd.

“I feel really happy that I’m back here in Australia and on the court where I have had the biggest success in my career.

“Definitely this court is the most special court in my life.”

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Naija News recalls that Djokovic was unable to compete at last year’s Australian Open after the Australian government canceled his visa because of his Covid-19 vaccination status.

He had already received plenty of support from fans on his return to Australia earlier in January.