Novak Djokovic gallery at the Australian Open: A love story turned into a visa horror show

Shahida Jacobs
Delight for Novak Djokovic at the 2015 Australian Open
Novak Djokovic enjoys the fruits of his labour in 2015 after winning defeating Andy Murray in the Australian Open final.

A pictorial of Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open through the years with his love affair starting in 2005 and continuing until 2021 when he won a ninth title.

Novak Djokovic plays a shop
A 17-year-old Novak Djokovic made his Grand Slam main draw debut at the 2005 Australian Open, losing in the first round, but it was the start of a great journey.

The teen-aged Novak Djokovic got his first taste of Grand Slam main draw action at the 2005 Australian Open as he lost in the opening round.

Novak Djokovic in action at the 2007 Australian Open
The Serbian finally won his maiden match at Melbourne Park in 2007 as he reached the fourth round where he was defeated by Switzerland’s Roger Federer.

After another first-round defeat in 2006, he got a win under his belt Down Under the following year before he was beaten in the fourth round.

Novak Djokovic in full flight
In 2008 Djokovic was sliding his way to success at Melbourne Park, beating the likes of Lleyton Hewitt and Roger Federer en route to the final.

The Serbian got beat some big names at the 2008 hard-court Grand Slam and he more than doubled his win tally at the Australian Open.

Australian Open delight for Novak Djokovic in 2008
It all clicked for Djokovic in 2008 as he won the first of his many Grand Slam titles, beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the final to lift the Australian Open trophy for the first time.

The deal was sealed with a kiss in 2008 as Djokovic won his maiden Australian Open title with victory over France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the final at Rod Laver Arena.

Novak Djokovic and 'Dancing With the Stars' dancer Kym Johnson performing
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic and ‘Dancing With the Stars’ dancer Kym Johnson perform a routine during day five of the 2011 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia.

After a couple of lean years, the impressive Djokovic danced his way to yet more title glory at the 2011 Australian Open.

Novak Djokovic with the 2011 Australian Open
Djokovic won a second Grand Slam title on Rod Laver Arena after defeating Andy Murray in three sets in the 2011 Australian Open final.

After beating Roger Federer in the semi-final at Melbourne Park, Djokovic defeated Murray in three sets in the final to win a second Australian Open trophy.

Novak Djokovic celebrations at the 2012 Australian Open
The 2012 Australian Open campaign brought us the Novak Djokovic ripped shirt, bare chest celebration as he once again went all the way at Melbourne Park.

The crowds at Melbourne Park enjoyed the bar-chested celebrations at the 2012 Australian Open.

Delight for Serbia's Novak Djokovic
Djokovic removes his shirt as he celebrates yet another match win at the 2012 Australian Open, this time beating Murray in the final for another piece of silverware.

The celebrations went on and on as Novak Djokovic marched to his third Australian Open title.

Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning the Australian Open
Novak Djokovic with a watch displaying the duration of his marathon 2012 Australian Open final against Rafael Nadal from Spain, which saw him win a third title at Melbourne Park.

The 2012 final against Nadal was an epic as he came out on top after a five-set classic that lasted five hours and 53 minutes.

Novak Djokovic in action at the Australian Open
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic plays a shot while sliding on the ground at the 2013 Australian Open as he went on to win a third title Down Under.

He was once again sliding his way to success at the 2013 Australian Open with the love story now in full flow.

Novak Djokovic celebrates his 2013 Australian Open success
Novak Djokovic made it three titles in a row at Melbourne Park to take his tally to four after beating Andy Murray in the final.

There was no better love story doing the rounds in 2013 as Djokovic made another sweep to the Australian Open title.

Novak Djokovic in action at the 2015 Australian Open
After no title in 2014, the impressive Djokovic was flying again at the 2015 Australian Open as he enjoyed another run to the final at Rod Laver Arena.

No one could stop the Serbian master in 2015 as he had no problems reach the final, defeating Stan Wawrinka in the last four.

Delight for Novak Djokovic at the 2015 Australian Open
Novak Djokovic enjoys the fruits of his labour in 2015 after winning defeating Andy Murray in the Australian Open final.

The Serbia loved life Down Under as he won a seventh title Grand Slam title, with five of them coming at Melbourne Park.

Novak Djokovic in action at the 2016 Australian Open
Djokovic of Serbia continued with his brilliant shot-making at the 2016 Australian Open as he once again brushed aside the field.

He reached for greater heights in 2016 as he reached a sixth final in Melbourne, courtesy a four-set defeat of Federer in the semi-final.

Novak Djokovic with the Australian Open trophy in 2016
Five titles at Melbourne Park became six titles in 2016 Novak Djokovic defeated Great Britain’s Murray again in the final.

Five titles at Melbourne Park became six titles as Great Britain’s Murray was once again beaten in the final, this time he claimed a three-set win.

Novak Djokovic in action at the 2019 Australian Open
After two lean years in 2017 and 2018, Djokovic returned to form at Melbourne Park again come 2019. The man from Serbia could do no wrong at the hard-court Grand Slam.

Following early defeats at the two previous campaigns, it was business again for Djokovic in 2019 as he steamrolled his way to the final.

Novak Djokovic celebrates Australian Open win
Djokovic demolished Rafael Nadal in straight sets in the 2019 final to start yet another glorious title-winning charge at Melbourne Park.

Djokovic surpassed Pete Sampras as he won his 15th Grand Slam title and seventh in Australia with victory over Nadal.

Novak Djokovic Australian Open celebrations
The stars were shining brightly again in 2020 for the Serbian in Melbourne as he got the better of Dominic Thiem in the final for title No 8 at the Australian Open.

He won a record-extending eighth Australian Open crown in 2020, but he had to work for it as he beat Thiem in five sets in the final at Rod Laver Arena.

Novak Djokovic in action at the 2021 Australian Open
He was even better at the 2021 tournament as he went to reach new heights at Melbourne Park with yet another run to the final.

There was no stopping Djokovic at the 2021 Australian Open as he dealt with everything thrown at him by reaching a ninth final.

Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning the 2021 Australian Open
The 2021 campaign delivered title No 9 for Novak Djokovic at Melbourne Park as he beat Daniil Medvedev in three sets in a lopsided final.

A ninth final at Rod Laver Arena delivered a ninth Australian Open title as Medvedev had no answers to the questions posed by Djokovic.

Novak Djokovic banner at Melbourne detention centre
But the love story turned soar Down Under in 2022 as Djokovic’s visa to enter Australia was cancelled and he spent several days in a detention facility. However, his quashed visa was later cancelled only for it to be revoked a second time, leading to his deportation.

His 2022 arrival did not go according to plan as he was held up at the border before being detained. After two court cases, he was finally deported and ended his hopes of winning a 10th Australian Open title and a 21st Grand Slam.

 

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