Tournament director Craig Tiley has handballed Novak Djokovic involvement in next year's Australian Open to the federal government with the nine-time champion expected to challenge a visa ban to play.
Tiley says he will not lobby on behalf of the unvaccinated Serbian, who was dramatically deported from Australia on the eve of this year's tournament.
The Tennis Australia (TA) boss - who was heavily involved in the debacle that had Djokovic locked up in a quarantine hotel - at the time blamed the changing COVID-19 landscape for miscommunication with federal authorities.
The former world No.1 is subject to a three-year ban from entering Australia but can apply for an exemption from new Immigration Minister Andrew Giles.
Former home affairs minister Karen Andrews warned against the move, arguing it would be a "slap in the face" for Australians who abided by strict COVID-19 protocols for two years.
Speaking at the launch of the 2023 tournament, Tiley said he would not be involved in the process this time.
"At this point ... Novak and the federal government need to work out the situation and then we'll follow any instruction after that," Tiley told reporters on Wednesday.
"It's not a matter we can lobby on. It's a matter that definitely stays between the two of them and then depending on the outcome of that we would welcome him to the Australian Open."
Tiley said he had so far had no communication with the federal government about Djokovic.
The Open tournament director said he spent time with the 21-grand slam title winner at the recent Laver Cup and Djokovic told him he was keen to return to Melbourne Park.
"He said that he'd obviously love to come back to Australia, but he knows it's going to be an ultimate decision for the federal government," Tiley said.
"He's accepted that position. It's a private matter between them but we'd like to welcome Novak back - he's a nine-time champion - provided he gets the right entry requirements into Australia."
Tiley said TA had brought on external immigration specialists to help deal with the demand from players and their entourages, with double the applicants of last year.
Meanwhile, after being controversially banned from Wimbledon, Russian and Belarusian players will be welcome at the 2023 AO - but not permitted to compete under their country's flags.
Tiley confirmed the ATP's ruling that players compete as 'neutrals' following Russia's invasion of Ukraine would extend to the Open.
"At this point, Russian and Belarusian players will be eligible to play in the Australian Open, and they, like every other player, will have to go through the (entry) process," he said.
"The only difference will be that they cannot represent Russia - they cannot represent the flag of Russia.
"They cannot participate in any activity such as the anthem of Russia and they have to play as independent players under a neutral name."
