MELBOURNE, JAN 6 : Novak Djokovic says he still experiences “trauma” when he visits Melbourne, three years after he was deported because of Australia’s Covid-19 regulations.

Djokovic, who was not vaccinated against the virus, had his visa cancelled by the Australian government on “health and good order” grounds.

He was forced to stay at an immigration hotel for five days while he unsuccessfully appealed against the decision and was eventually forced to leave the country, meaning he missed the 2022 Australian Open.

Djokovic returned to Melbourne the following year, with Covid restrictions eased, and went on to win the Grand Slam for a record 10th time.

The Serb, 37, is back in Australia preparing for the 2025 tournament, which begins on Sunday, according to a BBC report.

“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,” Djokovic told Melbourne’s Herald Sun., external

“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.”

He added: “I don’t hold a grudge. I came right away the year after and I won.

“My parents and whole team were there and it was actually one of the most emotional wins I’ve ever had, considering all that I’d been through the year before.”

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said she prefers to focus on this year’s tournament.

“Covid was tough for all of us. It didn’t matter who you were, where you came from, Covid didn’t discriminate in who it infected, how sick it made you and how sick it made others in our community.”

“I think that was something that I think was hard to justify at that time.”

Djokovic is hoping to win a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title when he competes in the Australian Open at Melbourne Park next week.