Tennis: Novak Djokovic needs a visa to play in the Australian Open 2023

Australian national media reported on Tuesday that former world No. 1 Novak Djokovic will receive a visa to play in the 2023 Australian Open despite being expelled from the country last January due to lack of a Covid-19 vaccine. Novak Djokovic said on the sidelines of the Turin Masters that his lawyers are in talks with the Australian government to get a visa for the next Australian Open in January, but he is still “waiting” for a response.

“There is nothing official yet. We are waiting. They (his lawyers) are talking to the Australian government, that’s all I can say at the moment,” said the Serb. After refusing a Covid vaccine, Djokovic was detained upon his arrival in Melbourne last January and then expelled just before the start of the tournament.

Since then, Australia has no longer required visitors to vaccinate against Covid, but the player with the record-breaking nine Australian Open titles also received a three-year ban. Therefore, the sanction must be quickly lifted. The 2023 Australian Open will take place from 16 to 29 January in Melbourne.