Mueez Ajao
– Novak Djokovic has arrived in Australia almost a year after he was deported over his stance against COVID-19 vaccination, Tennis Australia confirmed Wednesday.
– Djokovic will open his 2023 campaign in Adelaide as he prepares for a shot at a 10th Australian Open title.
– The 21-time major winner has been granted a visa by the Australian government and is listed to play at the Adelaide International, which starts Sunday.
Also Read: Djokovic confirms visa to play at Australian Open
– The 35-year-old Serbian star arrived in Adelaide on Tuesday night, the governing body confirmed.
– Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley indicated at a news conference Tuesday that Djokovic had arrived.
– “Novak is welcome in Australia,” Tiley said. “I think as we speak he has landed in Adelaide and he’s going to be the player to beat [at the Australian Open] again.”
– The Australian Open runs Jan. 16-29 in Melbourne.
– Djokovic missed the Grand Slam event last year because of his refusal to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Australia has since lifted strict rules for unvaccinated travelers.
– Immigration Minister Andrew Giles last month confirmed that Djokovic, who had been facing a possible three-year ban after being deported, has been granted a visa.
– Djokovic has won the Australian Open a record nine times, including the last three times he played. Rafael Nadal won the 2022 title in Djokovic’s absence.
– “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 at an exhibition tournament. “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.”
– But questions remain around how Djokovic will be received by Australian fans. Tiley told reporters Tuesday he believed Djokovic will be well-received.
– “I have a great deal of confidence in the Australian public,” Tiley said. “We’re a very well-educated sporting public, particularly those who come to the tennis. They love their tennis; they love seeing greatness; they love seeing great athleticism, great matches.
– “And I have a lot of confidence that the fans will react like we hope they would react and have respect for that.”
