According to several Australian media reports, Novak Djokovic is getting a visa to compete in the Australian Open

The Australian government has decided to grant Novak Djokovic a visa that will allow him to participate in the Australian Open in January, a year after he was expelled from the country due to a lack of vaccinations against Covid, ABC and others reported on Tuesday (15 November). Media, without further details.

Things appear to have been on the right track in recent weeks, thanks to a change of government in Australia, with a conservative coalition in power at the time of the Serb ouster, which has since been replaced by a centre-left cabinet led by Labour. Anthony Albanese.

While currently playing the ATP Masters in Turin, Italy, the former world number one and nine-time Australian Open winner was still cautious on Monday. “There is nothing official yet. We are waiting. [Mes avocats] Speaking to the Australian government, that’s all I can say at the moment.– said the Serb.

Last month, Australian Open director Craig Tilley said he had spent time with Mr Djokovic and convinced him the player wanted to play in his first Grand Slam of 2023. “He said he obviously wanted to come back to Australia, but he knows the final decision will be up to the federal government.”This official explained to the Australian newspaper Age. Mr Tilley also took the opportunity to urge the two sides to find a solution. “At this point, we’re saying that Novak and the feds should fix the situation. We will follow any instructions [fixée] After this “He commented.

Suffering 2022 season

It was no longer her unvaccinated status that prevented the twenty-one Grand Slam title star from being in Melbourne, Australia, which has lifted the requirement for visitors to present proof of vaccination, but the ban on the territory she is subject to in that country. After being arrested on arrival in Melbourne last January, Djokovic was indeed deported and sentenced to a three-year entry ban following an intense legal battle.

Refusal to get vaccinated against Covid-19 has largely derailed the 2022 season of the 35-year-old Serbian champion. In addition to the Australian Open in January, he has had to withdraw from the US Open this summer, with entry to the United States pending a vaccination obligation. Defeated by Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals at Roland Garros, Djokovic resumed his progress at Wimbledon earlier this summer, where he won 21.^e main tournament.

However, this victory did not earn her any points in the world rankings, as the grass court tournament was imposed by the ATP and WTA (which govern the men’s and women’s professional circuits respectively) due to the refusal of Russian and Belarusian players to participate. led by Moscow and supported by Minsk in response to the war in Ukraine.

Despite these shortcomings, the Serb managed to qualify for the Turin Masters, which brings together eight of the best players of the season. On Monday, he won his first match against Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas. Novak Djokovic will play his next match on Wednesday against Russian Andrei Rublev.