Novak Djokovic's hopes of overturning his ban from Australia in time to play the first Grand Slam event of 2023 have been dealt a blow by one of the country's leading politicians.
The Serbian star is currently serving a three year ban from traveling down under, following his explosive visa saga that overshadowed the 2021 Australian Open. Having initially been granted a medical exemption to compete, Djokovic was detained by border force officials upon his arrival in Victoria.
After it emerged the 21-time Slam winner had submitted false information on his immigration forms, he was detained in a hotel in Victoria before initially winning a legal ruling and being released. However, former minister for immigration Alex Hawke then successfully had that decision overturned, forcing Djokovic to fly home just a day before the tournament began.
