Djokovic gets permission to participate in the Australian Open in 2023

There appears to be a window of opportunity for Novak Djokovic to participate in the Australian Open in 2023. According to the Sunday Telegraph, the Australian government has agreed “in principle” to lift the entry restrictions for the Serbian tennis player.

Insiders tell the Australian newspaper that no official request has been made so far to overturn the entry ban for the 21-time Grand Slam champion, but it appears that it is only a matter of time.

Djokovic has not been vaccinated against the coronavirus and was therefore not allowed to enter Australia in January. The whole thing caused quite a commotion.

Initially, Djokovic was eligible for a visa on the basis of medical exemption, but the tennis player was still stopped at Melbourne Airport by immigration.

A judge ruled that Djokovic was treated unfairly and allowed Serbs to enter the country. But then Immigration Minister Alex Hawke withdrew the visa “for the benefit of the Australian community”, after which Djokovic was forced to leave Australia.

A year later, Djokovic appears to be benefiting from different insights from the new Australian government, which formally took office in June.

Australian Open director Craig Tilly has reportedly told ESPN’s Spanish-language tennis journalist that Djokovic will “definitely” have the opportunity to participate again next year in Melbourne. The world number seven could then go on to claim his 10th Australian Open title.

Because of his vulnerable situation, Djokovic did not enter the United States and thus missed the US Open. Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, 19, won the Grand Slam in New York on Sunday.