According to an expert, tennis star Novak Djokovic could have a good chance of participating in the Australian Open despite his entry ban.
“There is no risk factor in allowing him back in,” immigration attorney Kon-ming Tsai told the Associated Press. In his opinion, an entry of the 21-time Grand Slam winner is “in Australia’s best interest”: “He will not pose a problem for the community. He is one of the best tennis players in the world and will be able to attract a lot of foreign visitors.”
Tsai said Djokovic has a good chance of success if he applies for an entry visa. All he would have to do is write to the Australian border authorities, explaining his extraordinary circumstances and asking for the re-entry ban to be lifted. According to the Australian Border Protection Agency, an entry ban can be lifted under certain circumstances, and each case will be examined individually.
Tennis star with a three-year entry ban
The 35-year-old Djokovic wants to start at the Grand Slam tournament in Melbourne next January, as tournament director Craig Tiley announced on Wednesday. It is up to the Serbs themselves to clarify “the situation” with the government. Djokovic, who was not vaccinated against Covid-19, had to leave Australia after entering the Australian Open in January of this year after a legal dispute. He was also given a three-year entry ban for the country.
Criticism of possible special treatment for the nine-time tournament winner came from opposition politician Karen Andrews, who was Djokovic’s interior minister at the time of his deportation. “It would be a slap in the face to the people of Australia if Novak Djokovic was suddenly allowed back into the country just because he’s a top-ranked tennis player,” Andrews told ABC radio.
In addition to the Australian Open, Djokovic also missed the US Open in August this year because he was not allowed to enter the USA without being vaccinated. The Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tournament of the year, will take place in Melbourne from January 16th to 29th.
