Novak Djokovic has been granted a visa to play in the 2023 Australian Open after his three-year ban on entering the country was overturned.
The unjabbed Serb arrived Down Under for the 2022 tournament in January only to ultimately be deported after then immigration minister Alex Hawke cancelled his visa on the grounds that Djokovic might cause 'civil unrest'.
But, according to reports in Australia, new immigration minister Andrew Giles will grant Djokovic a visa and quash the three-year ban on him entering the country.
Djokovic arrived Down Under in January this year believing he had the necessary exemption to be allowed to travel to Australia and compete at Melbourne Park despite having not taken a vaccine against Covid-19.
But he was detained by immigration authorities before ultimately being deported, with Hawke ruling the 21-time Grand Slam winner could be perceived as 'a talisman of a community of anti-vaccine sentiment'.
Australia has since relaxed its Covid-19 regulations, allowing unvaccinated travellers to enter the country. To overturn the ban, the immigration minister must be satisfied that there are 'compelling circumstances' for the person in question to return.
After winning his opening match at the ATP Finals in Turin on Monday evening, Djokovic was still cautious over his chances of playing in next year's first Grand Slam.
“We are waiting,” he said. “They are communicating with the government of Australia. That’s all I can tell you for now.”
Australian Open chief Craig Tiley said earlier on Tuesday he was hopeful the Serb would be granted permission to enter the country and compete at Melbourne Park.
“There’s a normal visa application process that everyone is going through right now, and everyone will go through the right timing,” Tiley said.
“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.
“That’s entirely up to the Australian government. I know Novak wants to come and play and to get back to competing.
“He loves Australia and it’s where he’s had the best success but the timing [on any announcement] is up to somebody else and we’ll just play that one by ear.
“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.”
