Government makes bombshell Djokovic decision

2 years ago 67

Novak Djokovic has been cleared to play astatine the adjacent year's Australian Open, with his three-year prohibition from entering the country acceptable to beryllium overturned.

Djokovic had his visa cancelled and was deported connected the eve of this year's tourney aft coming into Australia portion not vaccinated against COVID-19.

With the vaccine mandate nary longer an obstacle to the 21-time expansive slam champion's participation, Djokovic's lawyers were capable to negociate with Australian officials to person his visa prohibition overturned.

Speaking to reporters aft winning his opening lucifer astatine the ATP Finals successful Turin connected Monday nighttime (AEDT), Djokovic said an statement had not been reached.

"Nothing authoritative yet," helium said.

"We are waiting. They are communicating with the authorities of Australia. That's each I tin archer you for now."

With the contention kicking disconnected connected January 16, the hold was hardly perfect for the erstwhile satellite No.1, but speaking earlier Tuesday, Tennis Australia brag Craig Tiley was assured that Djokovic would diagnostic successful adjacent year's Open.

"There's a mean visa exertion process that everyone is going done close now, and everyone volition spell done the close timing," helium told AAP.

"I don't deliberation determination should beryllium immoderate preferential attraction for anyone.

"But I afloat expect to person an reply for everyone by the clip they request to publication their flights and travel in, including Novak.

"That's wholly up to the Australian government. I cognize Novak wants to travel and play and to get backmost to competing.

"He loves Australia and it's wherever he's had the champion occurrence but the timing [on immoderate announcement] is up to idiosyncratic other and we'll conscionable play that 1 by ear."

Tiley was caught successful the mediate of past summer's fiasco aft informing Djokovic that helium had secured a aesculapian exemption to play astatine Melbourne Park.

This was subsequently overturned arsenic then-immigration curate Alex Hawke intervened to footwear Djokovic retired of Australia.

Despite the situation, Tiley said Djokovic holds nary hard feelings towards him.

"It's funny. I've spoken to Novak a fewer times. We caught up and spent immoderate clip unneurotic successful London and he's fine. Our narration is fine," helium said.

"He played the Laver Cup and it was truly bully to beryllium capable to walk immoderate backstage clip with him.

"I privation to person each the champion players successful the satellite here."

Djokovic bushed Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 7-6(4) successful the opening circular of the ATP Finals.

The Tsitsipas decision means the injured Carlos Alcaraz volition extremity 2022 astatine the apical of the ATP rankings unless Rafael Nadal, who besides mislaid his opening match, tin rebound to triumph the tournament.

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