Novak Djokovic’s return to Australia ended in defeat, but he was greeted with enthusiasm by fans at the Adelaide International.
Djokovic has returned to the country following the decision to reverse his visa restriction. Twelve months after he was banned as a risk to public health due to his refusal to undergo the Covid-19 vaccine.
His first match was low-key doubles match with close friend Vasek Pospisil, which they lost against Bosnia’s Tomislav Brkic. And Ecuador’s Gonzalo Escobar 4-6, 6-3 (10-5).
However, whatever concerns Djokovic may have had about how he would be treated by the public were quickly dispelled. His fans swarmed to Memorial Drive to greet him.
Djokovic resumes his singles season on Tuesday against Frenchman Constant Lestienne. He prepares for the Australian Open, where he seeks a record-breaking 10th title.
The second-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime lost 6-4, 7-6 (5) to the Australian Alexei Popyrin on Monday. While the fifth-seeded Holger Rune was defeated 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 by the Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka.
Jack Draper, one of three British men in the draw along with Andy Murray and Kyle Edmund, began his season with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over South Korean opponent Kwon Soon-woo.
Murray meets the brilliant American Sebastian Korda on Tuesday. While Edmund, who has been battling knee issues for two years, faces the sixth seed Jannik Sinner.
Venus Williams won her first WTA Tour match. It is in nearly two years by defeating Katie Volynets in the opening round of the ASB Classic in Auckland. The 42-year-old, who first won a main tour match in 1994. Chose not to follow her younger sister Serena into retirement and began 2023 with a 7-6 (4), 6-2 victory over fellow American Volynets.
