Djokovic says no hard feelings over Australian deportation

Category: Sports

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. reiterate / riˈɪt əˌreɪt / (v.) – to repeat what was previously said, especially for emphasis
    Example:

    The students reiterated their requests to the principal in a letter.


  2. no hard feelings / noʊ hɑrd ˈfi lɪŋz / (idiom) – used to say that someone isn’t angry or upset after an unfavorable thing happened
    Example:

    The actor said he has no hard feelings toward the TV show judges when they voted him out.


  3. subject to / səbˈdʒɛkt tu / (adj.) – affected by something, such as a condition
    Example:

    The lottery prize is subject to taxes.


  4. overturn / ˌoʊ vərˈtɜrn / (v.) – to change a ruling, decision, etc. that is incorrect or invalid
    Example:

    The city overturned its travel requirements after receiving tons of valid complaints.


  5. by far / baɪ fɑr / (adv.) – better by a great degree compared to others
    Example:

    I’ve been to a lot of spas but this is by far the most relaxing.


Article

Read the text below.

Novak Djokovic has reiterated his earlier comments that he bears no hard feelings on his return to Australia after his visa cancellation and subsequent deportation in January 2022 ahead of the Australian Open tennis tournament.


Djokovic was deported 12 months ago after arriving unvaccinated against COVID-19 at a time when the country was still subject to strict quarantine regulations and proof of vaccination.


Those regulations have since been lifted and in November, the Australian government overturned the three-year ban that came with Djokovic’s deportation and granted him a visa to return for the Australian Open beginning Jan. 16.


Djokovic arrived back in Australia last December 27 ahead of the Adelaide International, where he is scheduled to play a week after.


“It’s great to be back in Australia,” he said. “It’s a country where I’ve had tremendous success in my career, particularly in Melbourne. It’s by far my most successful Grand Slam. I’m hoping that everything is going to be positive. Obviously (fan reaction) is not something that I can predict.”


“I’ll do my best to play good tennis and bring good emotions and good feelings to the crowd.”


Djokovic said he still has difficulty forgetting his deportation.


“Obviously what happened 12 months ago was not easy for me, for my family, team, anybody who is close to me. It’s obviously disappointing to leave the country like that,” he said.


“You can’t forget those events. It’s one of these things that stays with you for I guess the rest of your life. It’s something that I’ve never experienced before and hopefully never again. But it is a valuable life experience for me and something that as I said will stay there, but I have to move on.”


Djokovic has won the Australian Open record nine times, including the last three times he played. Rafael Nadal won the 2022 title in Djokovic’s absence.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Do you think the Australian government made the right decision on Djokovic’s visa cancelation and deportation in January 2022? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • In what situations do you think VIP treatment can be acceptable? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Do you think having gone through deportation and visa cancelation could affect a player’s performance in a game? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Djokovic said that what happened was a valuable life experience for him. What have you experienced that you consider valuable? Discuss.