Novak Djokovic will have his visa to travel to Australia reinstated in time for next year’s Major with Australia’s immigration minister, Andrew Giles, set to ‘overturn his three-year ban’. Djokovic was under the microscope earlier this year when he travelled to Melbourne for the 2022 Australian Open despite not being vaccinated.
At the time, Australia required all visitors to be vaccinated against Covid-19 but Djokovic was supposedly given a medical exemption to travel. But a legal battle ensued, which resulted with Djokovic being confined in a temporary detention facility with his visa being cancelled while he was on his way to the country.
He won his first case in the federal circuit court, which allowed him to being training in Melbourne but Australia’s immigration minister at the time, Alex Hawke, decided to cancel the visa altogether before the Serbian lost his second court case. It resulted in Djokovic being unceremoniously deported from the country and handed a three-year visa ban.
The 35-year-old has repeatedly stated that he hopes for a reprieve from the Australian government. And the Guardian now claim Giles will give Djokovic his visa back in time to play the 2023 Australian Open.
There are now no requirements for visitors into Australia to be vaccinated, but it’s stated Giles is responsible for finding good reason to overturn Djokovic’s three-year ban.
Djokovic has remained hopeful throughout the year that he would be able to return to Melbourne. Speaking last month, the world No 8 admitted that conversations were happening with his lawyers about what was possible.
“When it comes to Australia, there are some positive signs, but it’s all unofficial,” Djokovic said. “We are communicating through my lawyers in Australia.
“They are communicating with the authorities in charge of my case. I hope to have an answer in the next few weeks, whatever it may be. Of course, I am hoping for a positive one so that I have enough time to prepare for the start of the season, if that start is going to happen in Australia.”
Djokovic is currently competing in the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin and he defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in his first match of the tournament. He’s looking to win a record-equalling sixth ATP Finals this week, matching Roger Federer’s feat.