“I hope that Novak Djokovic has some regret,” Australian politician has a message for the Serbian after receiving the green light to compete ‘Down Under’ in 2023
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Novak Djokovic
In a drastic turn of events, Novak Djokovic has been allowed to compete at the Australian Open 2023. Initially, the Serbian was handed a three-year ban from entering the country, after the entire visa controversy that occurred last year. The leader of the Opposition Party, Peter Dutton has a message for the nine-time Australian Open champion, hoping that the Serb still has some regret over his actions last summer.
Novak Djokovic was deported back to Serbia last year, after seeing his visa being cancelled twice in the span of just a week. Peter Dutton believes that it is only appropriate to allow the former world number one to compete at the Australian Open 2023, but has still highlighted the wrongdoings of the Serbian in 2022.
“I think it’s appropriate that Novak’s invited here,” Dutton said, as quoted by Express.Co.UK. “I suspect that in hindsight I hope that Mr Djokovic has some regret about some elements of his conduct and the rest. But the fact is that we’re a couple of years down the track now and it will be good to see him playing great tennis here in Australia,” he added.
Novak Djokovic has missed a couple of crucial events this season, owing to the covid-19 vaccination requirements. The 21-time major champion also missed the US Open a couple of months earlier, owing to the same reason.
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“It was a relief,” Novak Djokovic on receiving the green light to compete at the Australian Open
Novak Djokovic is the most successful tennis player at the Australian Open, winning the title on nine occasions. The Serbian is currently competing at the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, Italy, where he is gunning for his sixth year-end finals title.
After registering a straight sets victory over Andrey Rublev, Novak Djokovic revealed his thoughts on the latest decision to overturn his visa ban. The 35-year-old could finally breathe a sigh of relief, after everything that went behind the scenes last summer.
“I was very happy to receive the news yesterday. It was a relief obviously knowing what I and people closest to me in my life have been through this year with what happened in Australia and post Australia obviously. I could not receive better news for sure – during this tournament as well,” said Djokovic.
“Australian Open has been my most successful grand slam. 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,” he added.
Novak Djokovic has almost assured himself of a semifinals berth, after securing his second consecutive victory against Andrey Rublev on Wednesday evening. The Serbian will now face Daniil Medvedev in the final round-robin stage fixture a couple of days later.
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Nirmit Mehta
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