Novak Djokovic said he felt 'very much appreciated' as he made a perfect return to the Australian Open with a ruthless victory over Spain's Roberto Carballes Baena on Tuesday.
AFP | Martin KEEP
The 35-year-old, who missed last year's Grand Slam because of his stance on Covid vaccines, showed few signs of the hamstring niggle he picked up in Adelaide this month as he raced to an emphatic 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 win. "I feel really happy that I'm back here in Australia and on the court where I have had the biggest success in my career.
As if that wasn't daunting enough for 75th-ranked Carballes Baena, Djokovic came into the clash having won his last 21 Australian Open matches. Asked afterwards about the welcome he was given, Djokovic said:"Very much appreciated. I felt very welcome on the court, especially the Serbian community that is big here in Australia has welcomed me in an incredible way.
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