DJOKOVIC DOWN UNDER

Novak Djokovic expressed his relief at having his visa ban overturned which will allow him to compete in next year’s Australian Open.

The 35-year-old was detained and then deported from Australia last January in a dramatic process after trying to enter the country without having a Covid-19 vaccination.

He was subsequently given a three-year visa ban, but the Australian government has since overturned it, freeing him up for a return to Melbourne Park in early 2023.

Djokovic celebrated with a 6-4 6-1 win over Andrey Rublev in the ATP Tour Finals in Turin, which booked his place in the last four.

Djokovic said: “Australian Open has been my most successful grand slam. I made some of the best memories there.

“Of course, I want to go back there, I want to play tennis, do what I do best, hopefully have a great Australian summer.”

Djokovic put in a flawless display against Rublev to make it through to the last four for the 11th time at the end-of-season event.

Briton Neal Skupski and his Dutch partner Wesley Koolhof lost 6-4 7-6 (3) to Croatian powerhouses Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic in their doubles rubber.