When Novak Djokovic said after the Australian Open 2026 final that, "God knows what tomorrow will be like, let alone 6 or 12 months", the tennis player who is about to turn 39 was not sure he could return to play at Rod Laver Arena again. And if it was the last time Nole played at the first Grand Slam of the year, it would become a great ending for him, even if he lost to Carlos Alcaraz. Because the Australians forgave him.
In other words, they have "loved" Djokovic after many years of considering him as a "villain", especially from the incident in the COVID-19 epidemic. Australians will probably no longer be hostile to the Serbian legend to welcome him to Down Under in any role. Some people jokingly say that now the Australian Open will "find another villain", but at that time, their minds are no longer bothered and uncomfortable when thinking about Djokovic.
Another story, 24 years ago, 16-year-old Brian Banks - a high school football star in the US, was suddenly accused of assaulting a classmate and sentenced to 5 years in prison, 5 years of probation. The future to the professional NFL was completely broken.
Until almost the end of his probation period, he was exonerated, when his classmate admitted to lying. Losing 10 years of life in shame, but this guy's choice surprised everyone. "I choose to forgive," Brian said. When asked the reason, he only replied: "Because holding grudges is just locking myself up once again. I have been in prison long enough".
Life is full of moments of mistakes, hurt, even injustice, coming from others or yourself. What has happened cannot be reversed, nor can it be corrected. Therefore, it is important to decide how you continue to live with it.
Many people carry painful memories like a sentence and let it dominate. So wounds simmer every day with torment and resentment. Then stress, fatigue, exhaustion. Therefore, forgiveness, in the end, is to save oneself, to save freedom in the mind.
Forgiveness is not to forget. But to live more gently.
