Australia Open 2022 fiasco extended Novak Djokovic’s career by 5-6 years, says his uncle Goran

• Shubham
• 13 September, 2022

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By: Shubham Ghosh

Many in the tennis fraternity feel he might end up with a few crowns less by missing some major tournaments over his vaccination status but Novak Djokovic’s uncle Goran Djokovic feels it would be the opposite. The Yugoslavia-born entrepreneur spoke recently over the Australian Open fiasco earlier this year and said that it has actually done the Serbian maestro good in terms of form and fitness and might eventually extend his career for another “five or six years”.

Novak failed to compete in the Australian Open as he was barred for not taking the Covid-19 vaccine and also withdrew from the recently held US Open on the same grounds. However, his experience at the Australian Open was a harrowing one. While he initially got an exemption from the country’s strict vaccination rules to enter its territory, he found himself at odds with Australia’s legal system and was eventually deported.

He was also slapped with a three-year visa ban but under the Australian immigration law, there is a provision by which a visa ban can be lifted on special requests.

Goran, who owns Djokovic Wine, his latest business venture, spoke to The Pavlovic Today where he gave a brief insight into his nephew’s mindset. About the tennis star’s absence at the Australian Open, Goran said the former is always confident of his decisions and knows what he aims for.

“Novak is his own person. He knows who he is. Novak knows what he wants,” Goran was quoted as saying.

He then said that the fiasco over Novak’s participation at the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year, helped him extend his career by a few more years.

“The ordeal he went through this year in Australia only extended his career. Instead of maybe retiring from tennis in three or four years, his career has been extended for five, or six years. He is resting his body,” the businessman said.

Novak, who has 21 Grand Slam titles, is set to return to the 2023 Australian Open as confirmed by Craig Tiley, the chief executive officer of Tennis Australia, recently.