The Australian government on Tuesday had decided to grant the Serb a visa for the Grand Slam contest, overturning a three-year ban after his deportation from the country, said national broadcaster ABC.
This year’s championship was overshadowed by nine-time Australian Open champion Djokovic being put on a plane on the eve of the contest after a high-stakes legal battle over his visa status.
Over the past month, there have been hints that the Australian government might have a change of heart.
“Nothing official yet,” Djokovic told reporters after winning his opening match at the ATP Finals in Turin on Monday night.
“We are waiting. They are communicating with the government of Australia. That’s all I can tell you for now.”
Recall Australian Open chief Craig Tiley said he had spent time with Djokovic recently and the Serbian wanted to return for the first major of the year in January in Melbourne.
“What we’re saying at this point is that Novak and the federal government need to work out the situation. And then we’ll follow any instruction after that,” Tiley told The Age newspaper at the tournament’s official launch.
“I did spend some time with Novak at the Laver Cup. We spoke generally. He said that he’d love to come back to Australia but he knows it’s going to be an ultimate decision for the federal government.
“He’s accepted that position. It’s a private matter between them.”
Recall Djokovic arrived in Melbourne in January 2022 for the first Grand Slam of the year claiming he had obtained a medical exemption to enter the country without being vaccinated as he had recently recovered from Covid-19.
But Australian border officials said he did not meet the requirements to be exempted from strict vaccination rules, his visa was canceled and a protracted legal appeal failed.
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