Novak Djokovic’s chances to return at the 2023 Australian Open reduce further as Tennis Australia refuses to go against the Australian government


Novak Djokovic’s chances to return at the 2023 Australian Open reduce further as Tennis Australia refuses to go against the Australian government

Novak Djokovic with his 2021 Australian Open title

Tennis Australia recently declared that they will not lobby legislators from the Australian government to allow former World No.1 and nine-time champ Novak Djokovic to compete in next year’s Australian Open. Djokovic, who was banned from participation in last year’s event, after a lengthy deportation battle in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, is seeking a fresh return in Melbourne for 2023.

Recently, Djokovic received support from immigration lawyer Kon-ming Tsai who professed that the Serb did not pose any trouble for the Australian government this time and should be allowed to compete. Tournament director Craig Tiley had also suggested that Djokovic would not face problems this year because the COVID-19 scenario of now was much different than that in January.

However, Australian Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews had spelled negative news for Djokovic when she said that the tennis superstar should not receive any special treatment and might remain banned for three years instead.

FS Video

Also Read: Nick Kyrgios gets a “thumbs up” from Wally Masur for his changed behavior on the court and off it

YouTube video

Some Djokovic fans on Twitter pointed out that it was illegal to keep the Serb out of action, especially after a Pfizer representative recently came out and apologized to the world saying that her company’s COVID-19 vaccine was never tested for preventing transmission.

Local media in Australia was trying to depict an anti-Djokovic sentiment which also angered some fans, who pointed directions at a channel trying to compare the death of someone’s wife due to cancer with the controversy.

Novak Djokovic does not feature in Australian Open marketing poster

Novak Djokovic leaving Australia after being deported
Novak Djokovic leaving Australia after being deported

Australian Open recently released a promotional poster for the tournament’s 2023 edition without the picture of Djokovic adding more spice to the speculations that the 9-time champ won’t be featuring the next year also.

The poster containing 5 slides was released on the official Instagram handle of the Australian Open on October 11th,2022. The first slide included the images of the Greek World No.5 Stefanos Tsitsipas, Polish world No.1 Iga Swiatek, and American World No.8 Coco Gauff. The second slide featured the 2022 Men’s doubles champions and Australian box-office pair Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis.

The third slide again featured Iga Swiatek with Italian World No.12 Jannik Sinner and World no.16 Matteo Berrettini. The fourth slide was fully dedicated to the Greatest Of All Time- Rafael Nadal and the fifth slide showed the tournament schedule.

Also read: Nick Kyrgios ditches the newfound “bromance” Novak Djokovic and chooses Roger Federer to do a movie with 

Also read: Arthur Rinderknech saves 9 match points to defeat Pablo Carreno-Busta to qualify for the Gijon Open Semi-finals