Novak Djokovic has admitted that he still feels restless when he gets off a plane at Melbourne airport after he was deported from Australia three years ago.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion's visa was cancelled before the 2022 Australia Open when Australia's COVID-19 entry rules forced him to go back from Melbourne airport as he did not take the vaccination.  

“I have to be quite frank,” Djokovic said in an interview with Melbourne’s Heral Sun.

“The last couple of times I landed in Australia, to go through passport control and immigration – I had a bit of trauma from three years ago. And some traces still stay there when I’m passing passport control, just checking out if someone from the immigration zone is approaching,” he said.

"The person checking my passport – are they going to take me, detain me again, or let me go? I must admit I have that feeling."

The Serbian returned to Melbourne Park in 2023 when the worst of the pandemic was over and won a 10th Australian Open title.

"I don't hold any resentment, to be honest," the 37-year-old added. "I don't hold a grudge. I came right away the year after ... and I won. My parents and the whole team were there and it was actually one of the most emotional wins I've ever had considering all that I'd been through the year before," he added.

Djokovic, who is ranked seventh in the world, will be on the hunt for a record 25th major title when the Australian Open this season begins next Sunday.