Novak Djokovic has no regrets as he seeks Australian Open return

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is considering overturning the ban placed on Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic, following his deportation just days ahead of the 2022 Australian Open.

Stuart Fraser

2 min read

September 23, 2022 - 9:35AM

Djokovic, who has fallen to No.7 in the world rankings, is in London this week for the Laver Cup. Picture: Cameron Smith/Getty Images for Laver Cup

Tennis

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Novak Djokovic hopes that his three-year ban from entering Australia will be lifted in time for the first grand-slam tournament of the 2023 season. The 21-times major champion also expressed no regrets that his continued refusal to be vaccinated against Covid denied him a place at the recent US Open.

Djokovic, 35, was deported before this year’s Australian Open in January after the government cancelled his visa on “health and good order” grounds. This order automatically came with a three-year visa ban, although there are certain circumstances in which this can be waived.

Recent reports in the Australian media suggested Anthony Albanese, the new prime minister who replaced Scott Morrison after elections in May, is willing to overturn Djokovic’s ban before the tournament starts in Melbourne on January 16. There is no longer a requirement for overseas travellers to be vaccinated before entering Australia.

Djokovic’s deportation from Australia resulted in widespread outcry from Serbian fans and rallies through Melbourne’s streets. Picture: Diego Fedele/Getty Images

“I’m waiting for the news,” Djokovic, the nine-times Australian Open champion, said. “It’s really not in my hands right now. I’m hoping I can get some positive news soon.”

The Serb pulled out of the US Open four days before the tournament started in August after it became clear that the United States government was not going to ease its vaccination requirement. This denied him an attempt to back up his Wimbledon triumph with a record-equalling 22nd grand-slam men’s singles title in New York. He returns to action at the Laver Cup in London today (Friday). “I don’t have any regrets,” Djokovic said. “That was the decision I made. I knew what the consequences would be, so I accepted them.

“I’m not used to taking longer breaks before the tournaments in the last 15-20 years, but it is what it is. I’m just excited to be able to play here now and most of the other indoor [tournaments] for the rest of this season.”

After missing two grand-slam tournaments, plus four Masters events in the United States, Djokovic has dropped to No.7 in the rankings. The new world No.1 is Carlos Alcaraz, the 19-year-old Spaniard, who took advantage of Djokovic’s absence from the US Open to win his first grand-slam title. Djokovic congratulated the teenager, adding: “He did it in an incredible fashion in three five-set matches. It’s quite amazing what he has achieved. He’s a great addition to our sport and a great star in the making.”

-The Times

Originally published as Novak Djokovic has no regrets as he seeks Australian Open return