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Professional tennis player Novak Djokovic was initially banned from participating in the Australian Open, which is scheduled to take place at the beginning of 2023, due to his refusal to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.
As a result of the pandemic, several countries, including Australia, implemented the use of "Covid passports" to control the spread of the virus, requiring individuals to be vaccinated in order to enter and remain in the country.
Despite this requirement, Djokovic arrived in Australia unvaccinated and with the intention of competing in the tournament.
Djokovic's History at Australian Open
They teased him in Australia, banned him from performing, then allowed him to perform, then isolated him in Melbourne and deported him out of the country the day before the start of the tournament.
So Djokovic did not get the chance to fight for a new trophy in Melbourne, and in the end the title was won by Spaniard Rafael Nadal. In July, the authorities in Australia canceled the requirement for vaccination, i.e. the "Covid passport", which of course gave hope that Djokovic would be able to play at the Australian Open.
Confirmation soon arrived that the popular Nole will appear at the new edition of the prestigious tournament. This has been confirmed today. Initially, it was announced that Novak Djokovic, a professional tennis player, would be banned from entering Australia until 2025 due to his refusal to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.
"I think that he is going to be again the player to beat," said Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley. Tiley said he did not expect a backlash to the player's return and added: "We welcome him back to Australia. "I have a great deal of confidence in the Australian public.
I have a lot of confidence that the fans will react how we hope they will react."
Djokovic said he was relieved to return to Melbourne in November.
"[The] Australian Open has been my most successful Grand Slam," he added.
"I made some of the best memories there. "Of course, I want to go back there, I want to play tennis, do what I do best, hopefully have a great Australian summer." However, this decision was later revised, and Djokovic will now have the chance to compete in the Australian Open, which is set to take place at the beginning of 2023.
Djokovic has a strong track record at the Australian Open, having won the tournament nine times in the past. He will have the opportunity to add a tenth victory to his list of achievements when he competes in the tournament next year.