The Serbian tennis star is currently barred from entering Australia
Novak Djokovic is set to play at January’s Australian Open with the increasing likelihood that his three-year ban from entering the country will be lifted.
The Serbian tennis star – who defeated Nick Kyrgios in the men’s Wimbledon final at the weekend – is currently barred from entering Australia, and will not be allowed to enter America for the US Open next month due to regulations stopping unvaccinated visitors arriving in the country.
However, as reported by the Daily Mail, Australian tennis chiefs believe that he will be allowed to continue his pursuit of Grand Slams in Melbourne next year.
𝗡𝗢𝗩𝗔𝗞 𝗗𝗝𝗢𝗞𝗢𝗩𝗜𝗖, 𝟮𝟭 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗦𝗟𝗔𝗠 𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗟𝗘𝗦 🏆
🔸 Australian Open x9
🔸 #Wimbeldon x7
🔸 US Open x3
🔸 Roland-Garros x2@DjokerNole pic.twitter.com/uATGitRGwo— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) July 10, 2022
Djokovic travelled out to the Australian Open earlier this year, but he was later deported and banned from competing after spending time locked up in an immigration facility.
The 35-year-old attempted to use a medical exemption to enter the country, but this ultimately failed as he was unable to defend his 2021 title
Australia’s new PM expected to take a more sympathetic view
However, Australia’s new Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, is reportedly expected to take a more sympathetic view of the Djokovic case than his predecessors, given that he is a big tennis fan who plays the sport several times a week
Sportsmail add that Albanese does not want the Australian Open to be ‘diluted’ by the absence of Djokovic, who has won the tournament on nine occasions.
It is thought that the Australian PM has a closer dialogue with Tennis Australia than the previous administration did, and is contemplating rescinding the three-year bar on his entry to the country after the incident that unfolded earlier this year.
While Tennis Australia insist that the matter is out of their hands – and not their decision – Djokovic is expected to compete as he looks to equal Rafael Nadal’s 22 Grand Slam titles.
Related links:
- Novak Djokovic says he has ‘magic potion’ inside water bottle
- Novak Djokovic could sue Australian government for $6m
- How much Nick Kyrgios has been fined for swearing in front of Prince George at Wimbledon
