Possible special treatment. Djokovic wants to play at the Australian Open despite an entry ban.

Novak Djokovic would play at the Australian Open next January despite an entry ban, as tournament director Craig Tiley explained 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.

He spoke to the 35-year-old at the Laver Cup about the situation, Tiley told The Age newspaper: “He said that of course he would like to come back to Australia, but he knows that the decision ultimately rests with the federal government. » The longtime number 1 in the world rankings have “accepted this point of view”.

Criticism of possible special treatment for the nine-time tournament winner comes 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-ranking tennis player,” Andrews told ABC radio.

In addition to the Australian Open, Djokovic missed the US Open in August and the other major tournaments in Indian Wells, Miami, Montreal and Cincinnati this year because he was not allowed to enter North America without being vaccinated. The Australian Open is the first Grand Slam tournament of the year to take place in Melbourne from January 16th to 29th.

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