Novak Djokovic is scheduled to arrive in Australia on Tuesday for the first time since a high-profile legal battle resulted in his deportation from the country almost a year ago.
Djokovic, who has won the Australian Open a record nine times, was barred from the country after the High Court ruled in favour of the government. The 21-time Grand Slam winner was involved in a legal dispute with border officials concerning the legitimacy of his Visa. Djokovic said he was told a medical exemption would allow him into the country despite not being vaccinated against COVID-19 which was at the time a mandatory requirement for all foreign arrivals.
Initially, the former world No.1 was slammed with a three-year ban from returning to Australia but that penalty was quashed in November by the latest government who was more sympathetic to the situation. Furthermore, the country has since lifted their requirement for all arrivals to show proof of their vaccination against Covid-19.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley said he was confident that Djokovic would receive a positive reception from the public in the coming days. A recent survey conducted by Resolve Strategic for The Sydney Morning Herald found that 41% of respondents believe Djokovic should not be allowed to play at the Australian Open compared to 71% in January.
“We welcome him back to Australia,” Tiley told reporters.
“I think as we speak he’s landing in Adelaide and I think that he is going to be again the player to beat.
“I have a great deal of confidence in the Australian public. I have a lot of confidence that the fans will react how we hope they will react.”
As for the tennis star himself, he is optimistic that he will receive a good reception as he bids to equal Rafael Nadal’s all-time Grand Slam record of 22 at Melbourne Park.
“Over the years I’ve been really fortunate to start very strong in Australia and I love playing there,” Djokovic said in Dubai last week.
“After obviously what happened earlier this year, hopefully I can have a decent reception there and hopefully that can help me play some good tennis.”
Djokovic will begin his 2023 season by playing at the Adelaide International 1 which will get underway next week.
