Cheers for Djokovic as he debuted with victory in Australia

Novak Djokovic waves after beating Roberto Carballés Baena in the first round of the Australian Open, Wednesday, January 18, 2023, in Melbourne. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Supporting banners, Serbian flags and loud chants of Novak Djokovic’s nickname at the Rod Laver Arena marked his return to the Australian Open, a tournament in which he was overwhelmed in the recent past but in which he could not compete a year ago.

Djokovic nodded to the endearments in a left-handed salute as he entered the court at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday night. Thereupon, he went to work offering a magnificent display of tennis and if anything a slight discomfort in a left thigh that he had bandaged.

With his parents and brother in the stands at Melbourne Park for the first time since winning his first Grand Slam title 15 years ago, Djokovic began the first round duel by firing a 125 mph (201 kph) ace. He took the first game without dropping any points and tipped the first set in his favor with a 12-point run en route to a 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 victory over Spaniard Roberto Carballés Baena, the 75th-ranked Spaniard. ended after midnight.

“An amazing atmosphere. Thank you very much for staying so late, everyone. Thank you also for giving me such a warm welcome, not even in my dreams would I have imagined it”, said Djokovic when addressing the public when being interviewed at the foot of the court. “I feel very happy to be back in Australia and on the court where I have had the greatest success in my career”

Djokovic’s participation is perhaps one of the most talked about topics, perhaps the main one in the first Grand Slam of 2023. This is due to the fact that the Serbian star could not dispute a single point last season on the stage where he has won nine of his crowns in big dates, after his visa was canceled and he was deported from Australia after a legal saga for not having been vaccinated against COVID-19.

Novak Djokovic waves after beating Roberto Carballés Baena in the first round of the Australian Open, Wednesday, January 18, 2023, in Melbourne. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)Novak Djokovic greets the crowd after beating Roberto Carballés Baena in the first round of the Australian Open, Wednesday, January 18, 2023, in Melbourne. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

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