Novak Djokovic leaves the restricted area

Novak Djokovic will still get a chance to win his tenth Australian Open next year. The Australian authorities, according to the ABC television channel, have decided to reconsider their decision on a three-year ban on entry to the Serbian tennis player and issue him a visa. Recall that this season, Djokovic, who is a well-known opponent of COVID vaccination, was forced to miss not only the Australian Open, but also the US Open.

Novak Djokovic will be able to compete at the Australian Open starting on January 16. According to the Australian television channel ABC, the Australian government has decided to reconsider its decision to ban the Serbian tennis player for three years and issue him a visa. Recall that Djokovic’s last visit to Melbourne turned into a scandal. The tennis player is a known opponent of COVID vaccinations, and rules set by the Australian authorities required those arriving in the country to be vaccinated. Djokovic, with the assistance of Tennis Australia, received a visa as an exception even without a vaccination certificate. He even managed to start training on the spot. But the Australian government decided that he received the visa illegally, and after two court hearings, the winner of 21 Grand Slam tournaments (nine of them were won just in Melbourne) was deported from the country. He was also banned from entering the country for the next three years.

However, in July, Australia abolished the mandatory vaccination rule for travelers. This, however, did not mean that Djokovic could apply for a visa again. After all, the ban on crossing the border for him remained in force. Certain hopes of tennis fans were associated with the fact that in the spring the government changed in Australia. Under the previous cabinet, Djokovic most likely would not have had a chance of returning. At least Karen Andrews, who served as home secretary in the previous cabinet, noted in October that special treatment for Djokovic simply because he was rich and famous would be a slap in the face for anyone who followed the established rules. And Alex Hawke, who served as Minister of Immigration, generally declared Djokovic “the banner of the anti-vaccination community.” But the cabinet of Anthony Albanese does not seem to be so principled in these matters. Note that the authorities have not yet officially confirmed that Djokovic will receive a visa, but the tennis player himself, who is currently playing at the final ATP tournament in Turin, confirmed the fact of negotiations on Monday.

Recall that in 2022, Novak Djokovic, in addition to the Australian Open, missed another Grand Slam tournament – the US Open. The reason was also his unwillingness to be vaccinated. And the American authorities, like the Australian ones, restricted the entry of foreigners who had not been vaccinated into the country. So Djokovic simply withdrew from the tournament. The above restrictions in the United States, unlike Australia, are still in effect. When they will be canceled is unknown. So it cannot be ruled out that in 2023 Djokovic will not be able to play a full season and take part in all four Grand Slam tournaments.

Alexander Petrov