Djokovic set to be allowed to play Australian Open with reports his visa ban will be lifted

Months of discussions behind the scenes and a change of government seem to have done the trick.

According to an exclusive report in The Guardian, Novak Djokovic will be allowed to play in the Australian Open in January, with his three-year visa ban set to be overturned by immigration minister Andrew Giles.

The news will be a huge relief and morale boost for Djokovic, who was sent home from Melbourne this year over his refusal to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

Djokovic’s visa was rescinded in January 2022 when the then-Australian government decided his recent Covid diagnosis was not enough reason for him to be given an exemption to the then rules that all visitors to Australia should be vaccinated.

Initially, it seemed as if Djokovic would be allowed in after he won an appeal but the immigration minister cancelled his visa, saying letting him into the country, when so many people were told they had to be vaccinated, might cause civil unrest.

Should the lifting of his visa be confirmed, it would give Djokovic, nine times the champion in Melbourne, the opportunity to win his 22nd Grand Slam title and pull alongside defending champion Rafael Nadal at the top of the men’s all-time list.

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