Djokovic gets visa and will be able to play at the Australian Open in 2023

Tennis player Novak Djokovic will get a visa to play at the Australian Open from January 16-29. This comes almost a year after the athlete was deported from the country for not being vaccinated against Covid-19, local media reported on Tuesday (15).

The Australian government has decided to issue a visa to the nine-time winner of the Australian tournament – ​​more than any other – reported ABC and other media.

The Australian Ministry of Immigration and the Australian Tennis Federation did not respond to questions in the report.

The case seemed to be on its way in recent weeks, thanks to the change of government in Australia – the conservative coalition in power at the time of the Serb’s deportation has been replaced by a centre-left party, led by Anthony Albanese.

The former world number 1 is playing the ATP Finals in Turin (Italy) and, asked on Monday (14) about the possibility of a visa, responded cautiously.

“Nothing official yet. We’re waiting. [os advogados] talk to the Australian government, that’s all I can say for the moment,” said ‘Nole’.

Last month, Australian Open director Craig Tiley revealed that he had been with Djokovic and assured that the tennis player wanted to play in the first Grand Slam of 2023.

“He said he would obviously love to go back to Australia, but he knows it will ultimately be a government decision,” Tiley told Australian newspaper The Age. “He accepted that. It’s a private matter between them.”

The director took the opportunity to encourage both parties to find a solution.

“What we are saying right now is that Novak and the federal government have to resolve the situation. Afterwards, we will follow any instructions,” he said.

The fact that he had not been vaccinated was no longer what prevented the Serb from being in Melbourne — Australia dropped the requirement that visitors show proof of vaccination. The veto of access to the country was what weighed heavily on him.

Last January, after being detained on arrival in Melbourne, Djokovic was deported and banned from entering the country for three years after an intense court battle.

This ban may be lifted at the discretion of the Anthony Albanese government.

The refusal to be vaccinated against Covid-19 affected the 35-year-old tennis player’s 2022 season: in addition to the Australian Open in January, he had to withdraw from the US Open this summer, as entry into the United States remains subject to the obligation to vaccination.

Defeated in the quarter-finals at Roland Garros by Spaniard Rafael Nadal, Djokovic returned to the path of major triumphs at Wimbledon earlier in the summer, where he won his 21st Grand Slam title.

However, his victory did not earn him any points in the ATP rankings, as the most important tournament on grass received a sanction from the ATP and WTA (which manage the men’s and women’s professional circuits) for vetoing the participation of Russian and Belarusian tennis players for account of the Ukrainian War.

Despite these obstacles, the Serbian managed to qualify for the ATP Finals in Turin, which has the best eight players of the year.

On Monday, Djokovic won his first match against Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas (N.3) 6-4, 7-6 (7/4).

The Serbian’s next duel will be on Wednesday against Russian Andrey Rublev.