Nine-times champion, who was deported last January and banned from the country for three years, is to be cleared to compete in Melbourne
Novak Djokovic will play at the Australian Open, it emerged on Tuesday morning. Government sources have privately briefed a number of news organisations that Djokovic’s three-year visa ban is to be overturned.
The decision – which originates from immigration minister Andrew Giles – will avoid the ridiculous situation where unvaccinated tourists are able to enter Australia while the nine-time champion in Melbourne is denied.
Giles’s green light will change the complexion of the tournament and of the overall race to finish with the most grand-slam titles, as Djokovic will go into Melbourne as the runaway favourite to lift a 10th title at the end of January.
But it will be interesting to see how the local fans respond to him. Djokovic did not make himself popular with his attempt to play last year’s Australian Open, which came at a time when Covid was a far bigger issue in the world’s most locked-down city.