Craig Tiley, the director of the Australian Open, said on Wednesday that Novak Djokovic is willing to participate but that it is up to him to “work out the problem” with the government. He also claimed that Russians and Belarusians might participate as neutrals.
The unvaccinated Djokovic’s deportation from Australia on the eve of the Grand Slam after a contentious legal dispute over his visa status dominated this year’s title. The Serbian nine-time champion is presently serving a three-year entry-exit ban from Australia.
Unlike the conservative coalition in power when he was ousted, the center-left administration has the discretion to reverse it. However, they have not said if they would consider this.
Djokovic intended to return for the first major of the year in Melbourne in January, according to Tiley, who recently spent time with the Serbian.
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“At this point, we’re saying that Novak and the federal government need to resolve the issue. At the formal tournament kickoff, Tiley told The Age newspaper, “And then we’ll obey any direction after that.
“I did spoke to Novak a little bit during the Laver Cup. We spoke broadly. He said that although he would undoubtedly adore returning to Australia, he knows that the federal government will have the last say on the matter.
“He agreed to take the job. They have a confidential subject to discuss.
When Djokovic was deported, opposition lawmaker Karen Andrews, home affairs minister at the time, said on ABC radio that he shouldn’t get preferential treatment.
Novak Djokovic’s return to Australia would be “a smack in the face for those individuals who did the right thing, got vaccinated, and did all they needed to do,” according to Andrews. This is because he is a highly-regarded tennis star with a large fortune.
In contrast to Wimbledon this year, which barred players from countries embroiled in the Ukraine crisis from playing, Tiley stated that he didn’t foresee any limitations on players from such nations.
He also said that people from Russia and Belarus could now play in the Australian Open.
The only distinction will be that they must compete as independent players and are not permitted to represent Russia, the Russian flag, or participate in any Russian anthem-related activities.
At the event in 2023, organizers want to draw a record 900,000 people, with a target audience of one million.
Approximately 820,000 people, according to Tiley, attended the event last year, and ticket pre-sales were brisk.