Novak Djokovic ‘Very Happy’ Visa Ban Overturned Ahead of Australia Open

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates while playing Andrey Rublev of Russia during round robin play on Day Four of the Nitto ATP Finals at Pala Alpitour in Turin, Italy, on Nov. 16, 2022. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Former world number one Novak Djokovic will be playing in the 2023 Australian Open after the government overturned his three-year ban.

At the beginning of the year, Djokovic was deported and banned from the country after his visa was cancelled over his vaccination status, causing him to miss out on the tournament.

Following his victory over Russian Andrey Rublev on day four at the ATP Finals, the nine-time Australian Open winner told reporters he was “very happy” to receive the news and looked forward to a “great Australian summer.”

Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses with the trophy after defeating Casper Ruud of Norway during the Final on Day Eight of the Nitto ATP Finals at Pala Alpitour on November 20, 2022 in Turin, Italy. Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

“I could not receive better news for sure, during this tournament as well,” he said. “Did it affect my game today? I would like to believe it did.”

“Australian Open has been my most successful Grand Slam. I made some of the best memories there.”

He said this decision released the pressure he felt and cleared up the uncertainty around his schedule in the offseason.

“Just giving that clarity makes it great for [me and my team],” he said.

“I look forward to starting the new year in Australia, and we'll see how the next year goes.”

Djokovic’s ranking currently sits at eighth after missing the Open down under.

He also gained zero points for his victory at Wimbledon after the peak tennis association decided against awarding points for the tournament after Russian and Belarussian athletes were banned from competing.

One of the Strictest Countries in the World Against COVID-19

Djokovic left Australia on Jan. 16 after his appeal to challenge the former government’s decision to revoke his visa on COVID-related grounds was dismissed.

The decision received significant support from the Australian public.

A ball kid wipes the court as Spain's Rafael Nadal watches during his men's singles match against Australia's Nick Kyrgios on day eight of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 27, 2020. Photo by David Gray/ AFP via Getty Images

Alex Hawke, the immigration minister at the time, conceded Djokovic posed a “negligible” risk of spreading COVID.

But he argued Djokovic’s ongoing presence could “stoke anti-vaccination sentiment” that would potentially lead to an “increase in civil unrest of the kind previously experienced in Australia with rallies and protests which may themselves be a source of community transmission.”

In response, Djokovic’s lawyers argued that Hawke had provided no evidence that would suggest the tennis champion’s presence would have such an effect on the Australian public.

“Cancelling Mr. Djokovic’s visa and deporting him would plainly be adverse to the public interest, and respectfully, could only serve political interest,” they said.

“That action would prejudice Australian economic interests, and jeopardise the viability of Australia continuing to host this prestigious, international sporting event.

“[It would] call into question Australia’s border security principles and policies—and indeed the rule of law in Australia generally.”

Despite the ordeal, Djokovic later told a news conference in June that he didn’t hold any grudges and wanted to play in Australia again if given the chance.