Tennis star Novak Djokovic wants to play at the Australian Open next January despite being banned from entering the country. This was announced by tournament director Craig Tiley. It was up to the Serb himself to “clarify the situation” with the government.
Djokovic, who was not vaccinated against Covid-19, had been forced to leave Australia after entering the Australian Open in January this year following a legal battle. To do so, he was banned from entering the country for three years.
He had spoken to the 35-year-old at the Laver Cup about the situation, Tiley told The Age newspaper: “He said that of course he’d like to come back to Australia, but he knows that ultimately the decision is up to the federal government.” He said the long-time world number one had “accepted that position”.
Criticism for possible special treatment for the nine-time tournament winner comes from opposition politician Karen Andrews, who was home affairs minister at the time Djokovic was deported. “It would be a slap in the face to the people of Australia if Novak Djokovic is suddenly allowed back into the country just because he is a top-ranked tennis player,” Andrews told the ABC radio station.
Djokovic missed the Australian Open this year as well as the US Open in August because he was not allowed to enter the US unvaccinated. The Australian Open is the first Grand Slam tournament of the year and will be held in Melbourne from 16 to 29 January.
