Tennis legend Novak Djokovic will be competing in the Australian Open 2023 after the current government has revoked his three-year visa ban. The decision will give a massive boost to Djokovic’s aspiration to retire as the player with the most number of grand slams.
Earlier this year, Djokovic found himself in the middle of a huge controversy, after he arrived in Australia without being vaccinated. He was deported back to Serbia and slapped with a three-year ban by the coalition government last year, as they perceived him as a threat to civil harmony, because of his refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
The Albanese government, however, has decided to upturn the ban. Only last night after beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the ATP final, Djokovic said that he is yet to hear anything substantial from the Australian government. “We are waiting,” said Djokovic. “They are communicating with the government of Australia. That’s all I can tell you for now.”
Craig Tiley, the director of the Australian Open, too was highly optimistic when asked about Djokovic’s chances of playing in this tournament in 2023. Tiley said that the Serb won’t get any preferential treatment but he should be allowed to enter the nation, as everyone is now going through a normal visa application process.
“I don’t think there should be any preferential treatment for anyone. But I fully expect to have an answer for everyone by the time that they need to book their flights and come in, including Novak,” said Tiley, adding, “He understands the circumstances and everything but he’s got to work it out with the federal government. I’m confident they’ll reach some arrangement and hopefully, it’s positive.”
Djokovic himself expressed his desire to compete in Australia, stating that he has played the best tennis of his life in this country. The nine-time Australian Open champion said, “I am over what happened this year and I just want to play tennis, it is what I do best. Australia has always been the place where I have played my best tennis, the results speak for themselves, so I am always extra motivated to go there. This time even more so.”
This year Djokovic could only participate in the French Open and Wimbledon and managed to win the latter for the seventh time. At Roland Garros, he suffered an agonizing defeat to Rafael Nadal. Currently ranked eighth in the world, the Serb is playing in the ATP finals in Turin, where his next match is against Andre Rublev. He has lost only once in his last 15 games, against Holger Rune last week in the final of ATP 1000 Masters.
