MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Novak Djokovic found number one in the world playing without crowds last season and can’t wait to wake up the fans in the stands at his 17th Australian Open .
Some 25,000-30,000 fans will be admitted to Melbourne Park on each day of the Grand Slam and Djokovic got a taste of what was to come when he played a show match in Adelaide after coming out of quarantine Friday.
“I had goosebumps coming into court playing in front of the fans again after 12 months since I didn’t experience that,” the Serbian told reporters Sunday .
“Having played professional tennis for over 15 years, this is one of my biggest driving forces or motivators, playing in front of a crowd.
“Feeding that energy, exchanging my passion and great joy for the sport and what the fans have for the sport. ”
Djokovic said the blister on his right hand that prevented him to one set in Adelaide on Friday was “nothing big” and would not be an issue when he led Serbia in their ATP Cup title defense this week.
After upsetting some locals when he sent a letter to organizers asking for the quarantine conditions to be changed, Djokovic stated that he was able to play in Australia.
“I am grateful, as I think most of us here in Australia are, to have the opportunity to work and play and compete in the sport on do we love it so much, ”he said. “So we’re really excited to be here.”
The 33-year-old has won eight of his 17 Grand Slam titles at Melbourne Park and said it felt like a homecoming at the start of each year.
“It feels like home to me in Australia, in Melbourne, especially in Rod Laver (Arena). It is my most successful tennis court in my career.
“Every year I come back to court, it feels even better. The more you win on the court, the more confident you feel coming back to it. ”
Reporting with Nick Mulvenney in Sydney; Edited by Sam Holmes