Novak Djokovic still has plenty of love for the country that deported him, saying he received the reception he wished for in his triumphant return to singles action in Australia.
Djokovic booked a spot in the second round of the Adelaide International 1 with a thumping 6-3 6-2 win over Frenchman Constant Lestienne on Tuesday.
It was his first singles match in Australia since being deported last January after he was found to not meet Australia's COVID-19 vaccination requirements at the time.
The 21-time grand slam champion received a rousing reception when he stepped out on court on Tuesday, and he didn't disappoint his adoring fans.
Djokovic's power, court speed, and deft work at the net proved too much to handle for Lestienne, with the match lasting just 74 minutes.
The world number five, who lost his low-key doubles match on Monday, repeatedly touched his heart before signalling to the crowd and the sky upon winning his singles match.
He also kissed his hand and touched the court, later saying he was delighted to be back in the country where he's won nine of his 21 grand slam trophies.
"I'm glad to be back in Australia," Djokovic said in his post-match on-court interview.
"Thank you all for coming out today. Thank you for giving me the welcome that I could only wish for.
"Over the years, Australia has been the place where I've played my best tennis, without a doubt.
"If I have to pick one country where I've had the most success, which treated me in the best way in terms of tennis, it's here, definitely.
"Even the circumstances last year, it wasn't easy for anybody. But I'm just happy to be here focusing on tennis, and enjoying my time with you guys."
The result sets up a round of 16 clash with Frenchman Quentin Halys, who defeated Australian Jordan Thompson in straight sets on Monday.
Djokovic lost just five points on serve during the opening set, but did have to save a break point in the fifth game.
Earlier, Daniil Medvedev has got off to a winning start at the Adelaide International, but it was far from an easy match and ended early due to the retirement of Italy's Lorenzo Sonego.
Medvedev was leading 7-6 (8/6), 2-1 when Sonego was forced to retire with an arm injury.
Sonego came out in aggressive mood, going for it on big groundstrokes, running passing shots and brave dropshots.
The 2021 US Open champion Medvedev appeared to be finding his feet in the first set, trying to wait out his opponent in the hope of errors.
After being taken to eight deuces before holding serve for 5-5, Medvedev went 0-40 down in the 12th game as Sonego continued to give him the run around.
The Russian saved all three set points, before going on to force a tie-break at 6-6.
The breaker went on serve until the 13th point, where the Italian was serving at 6-6. Medvedev made a rare attack, coming to the net and finishing a fierce backhand volley to snare the mini-break.
Serving for the set, his second serve looked very close to going long, but was called in. Medvedev won the point before unleashing a big downward fist pump in celebration or relief taking the first set in 80 minutes.
Sonego was frustrated, after hitting 21 winners to just 10 for Medvedev in the first set.
The Italian didn't let the frustration get to him — he came out and broke Medvedev in the opening game of the second set, but the number three seed then grabbed the break back immediately, before holding for 2-1.
Suddenly, three points into the fourth game, Sonego was forced to retire with an arm injury.
"What a match to start the year," Medvedev told Channel Nine on court afterwards.
"Unfortunate for everybody that it finished early, even if we played one hour forty, but I'm happy to be through ... I wish Lorenzo a speedy recovery."
Kokkinakis continues winning run in Adelaide
There's no place like home for Thanasi Kokkinakis, who put another notch in his Adelaide belt with a first-round win over world number 34 Maxime Cressy on Monday night.
A winner and semifinalist in the two back-to-back events here last year, the Adelaide local again relished the opportunity to play in front of an appreciative audience, registering a 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (9/7) victory over the towering American.
Kokkinakis fought back from a break down and a set point in the second set to secure an impressive win which he closed out with an ace.
"I had an incredible summer here last year starting off in Adelaide and with the (Australian Open) doubles (win) as a cherry on top," he said.
"But forever the Adelaide week will be my top moment for sure.
"I'm hoping to just try my arse off every match."
After an injury-ravaged six years, Kokkinakis used his hometown run as something of a springboard to rejuvenate his stuttering career.
While he didn't quite hit the dizzy heights of another tournament win in 2022, he did become ensconced in the top 100.
And with some 340 points to defend across the two weeks of competition in Adelaide, he'll need to be at his best or risk slipping well down the rankings ladder.
But Monday night was as good a start as he could hope for. He overcame a knee problem in the first set, admitting afterwards he needed to take some painkillers.
Yet he didn't face a break point in the opener and rode the crowd as well as his monster forehand when needed to bounce back in the second.
Serve-volleyer Cressy had been one of the surprise packets of the 2022 Australian summer, going from outside the top 100 to reach the final of the ATP event in Melbourne as a qualifier before making the last 16 at the Australian Open.
Things get no easier for Kokkinakis in Adelaide however, with a vastly improved field from last year meaning there's every chance he'll meet world number 15, Jannik Sinner, in the second round.
ABC/AAP
