Melbourne, Australia- Tennis Australia has announced that 21-time Grand Slam champion, Novak Djokovic, as well as Russian and Belarusian players, are welcome to compete at next year’s Australian Open in January.
The Serbian former world No. 1 was kicked out of the country for not being vaccinated against COVID-19 in a dramatic turn of events in January. Djokovic is subject to a three-year ban from entering Australia, imposed by former Immigration Minister Alex Hawke because of his COVID-19 vaccination status.
“At this point, Novak and the Federal government need to work out the situation and then we will follow any instructions after that. 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.
I did spend some time with Novak at the Laver Cup. We spoke generally. He said that he would obviously love to come back to Australia but he knows it’s going to be an ultimate decision for the Federal government.
He has accepted that position. It’s a private matter between them. It’s not a matter we can lobby on.
At this point, Russian and Belarusian players will be eligible to play in the Australian Open. The only difference will be that they cannot represent Russia and 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 but they will be welcome to the Australian Open in January,” said Craig Tiley, head of Tennis Australia.
However, Tiley who is also the director of the Australian Open, said he has had no communication with the Federal government about Djokovic but added that his eligibility would ideally be resolved soon, with the December application deadline looming.
Tiley was heavily criticised in January over Tennis Australia’s role in allowing Djokovic to fly to Melbourne under the belief that a medical exemption approved by the governing body and a Victorian government independent expert panel would be sufficient to enter Australia.
Djokovic, who also missed the US Open over his vaccination status, said last month he was waiting for positive news from Australian authorities.
Nevertheless, Andrews, said this week, she was opposed to the government lifting Djokovic’s ban, saying it would be a slap in the face for Australians who have been vaccinated.
