SYDNEY — Novak Djokovic has arrived in Australia virtually a yr after he was deported over his stance towards COVID-19 vaccination, Tennis Australia confirmed Wednesday.
Djokovic will open his 2023 marketing campaign in Adelaide as he prepares for a shot at a tenth Australian Open title.
The 21-time main winner has been granted a visa by the Australian authorities and is listed to play on the Adelaide Worldwide, which begins Sunday.
The 35-year-old Serbian star arrived in Adelaide on Tuesday evening, the governing physique confirmed.
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Australian Open event director Craig Tiley indicated at a information convention Tuesday that Djokovic had arrived.
“Novak is welcome in Australia,” Tiley mentioned. “I feel as we communicate he has landed in Adelaide and he will be the participant to beat [at the Australian Open] once more.”
The Australian Open runs Jan. 16-29 in Melbourne.
Djokovic missed the Grand Slam occasion final yr due to his refusal to be vaccinated towards COVID-19. Australia has since lifted strict guidelines for unvaccinated vacationers.
Immigration Minister Andrew Giles final month confirmed that Djokovic, who had been going through a doable three-year ban after being deported, has been granted a visa.
Djokovic has gained the Australian Open a report 9 occasions, together with the final 3 times he performed. Rafael Nadal gained the 2022 title in Djokovic’s absence.
Questions stay round how Djokovic shall be acquired by Australian followers this yr. Tiley informed reporters Tuesday that he believed Djokovic shall be well-received.
“I’ve a substantial amount of confidence within the Australian public,” Tiley mentioned. “We’re a really well-educated sporting public, notably those that come to the tennis. They love their tennis; they love seeing greatness; they love seeing nice athleticism, nice matches.
“And I’ve loads of confidence that the followers will react like we hope they’d react and have respect for that.”