Novak Djokovic’s participation in the 2023 Australian Open gets a massive boost after the latest policy change in Australia
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Novak Djokovic
World No. 3 Novak Djokovic had a poor outing in Australia earlier this year when he was deported a few hours prior to his first-round match at the 2022 Australian Open where he was scheduled to be the 3-time defending champion. Novak had however refused to get vaccinated against Covid-19 and despite having a medical clearance from the Australian medical committee, his visa was denied upon arrival in Melbourne.
He was taken to a federal quarantine centre where he spent 4 days before a court ruled in his favour allowing him to stay in the country. However, then Immigration Minister Alex Hawke used his ministerial power to cancel Novak’s visa once again and a second case was filed which went against the Serbian as he was deported and banned from re-entering Australia for 3 years.
One clause still stops Novak Djokovic from entering Australia
Djokovic had accepted the decision even though he didn’t agree to it but remained adamant that until atleast he is not retired from tennis, he won’t be taking the vaccine. His decision has kept him out of the USA as well and he now faces the chance to miss the 2022 US Open as well losing 1200 points as he was the runner-up last year losing to Daniil Medvedev in the finals and being denied the chance to win all four majors in one calendar year.
But, with the latest policy updation, Australia will open its borders to unvaccinated foreigners as well and won’t need to prove their vaccination status. While this brings good news for Novak, there remains one clause certainly, his ban of 3 years. Under the current situation, he can’t enter the country till 2025.
The only hope Novak can now have is that with the change in the government in the country, his ban could be revoked and the 9-time Australian Open champion could be welcomed next year when he will look for his 10th title in the Melbourne Park and extend his record with Roger Federer second with 6 titles to his name in the Grand Slam.
Also Read: “I am missing him” Rafael Nadal chooses Roger Federer over Novak Djokovic as his greatest rival
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Sarthak Shitole
(3462 Articles Published)