Djoker wants to return
Minister to decide on visa to play in Open
TENNIS Australia boss Craig Tiley has confirmed Novak Djokovic wants to return to Melbourne for the Australian Open, as the federal government weighs up whether to let him back in the country.
Djokovic’s visa was this year cancelled by the previous government and he was deported on “health and good order grounds” for being an anti-vaxxer.
The move could have barred the tennis great from entering Australia for three years but it is believed the Albanese government is open to granting a visa so he can compete at the Open in January.
Australian Open director Mr Tiley told the Herald Sun he expected and hoped Djokovic would apply for a visa to compete for a record 10th title at Melbourne Park.
“I do know he’d like to return to the AO,” Mr Tiley said.
“He’s the nine-time champion and of course we always want the best players in the world to compete.
“It’s a matter between him and the relevant federal authorities.”
Premier Daniel Andrews said it was up to the federal government to decide whether Djokovic was allowed in.
“Who gets into the country and whatever rules and different processes they have to go through is a matter for the Commonwealth government,” he said.
“The government of Victoria does not issue visas or passports, so that would be entirely a matter for the Commonwealth government.”
Because he was deported on character grounds, Djokovic could only return if the Immigration Minister agreed to a request to lift the travel ban on the basis the circumstances that led to previous concerns had changed.
As of July this year, unvaccinated visa holders no longer have to obtain travel exemption to enter Australia.
It is believed this policy shift would be a significant factor in considering any request from Djokovic to have his ban overturned. A spokeswoman for Immigration Minister Andrew Giles said the government would not comment on individual cases due to privacy.
Djokovic was sent packing from Australia in messy scenes in January, despite winning a Federal Court appeal and training on Rod Laver Arena.
Days before being booted, he was detained under police guard on arrival at Melbourne Airport after a Border Force official cancelled his visa.