By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday, November 15, 2022
Novak Djokovic is close to officially receiving an Australian Visa, which will allow the nine-time Australian Open to return to Melbourne for the 2023 Australian Open, sources report.
According to news first reported by the Guardian, Australia’s Immigration Minister Andrew Giles will repeal the three-year ban that came when the 21-time major champion had his visa revoked on the day before the tournament, earlier this year.
That means that Djokovic is free to apply for a visa, which will then be approved. It's a massive victory for Djokovic, who had his 2022 campaign marred by missing several key events due to his decision to remain unvaccinated. He was absent at the Australian Open, Indian Wells, Miami, Cincinnati and the US Open.
On Monday in Turin, where Djokovic is competing at the Nitto ATP Finals, Djokovic didn’t add any details.
“Nothing official yet,” he said. “We are waiting. They are communicating with the government of Australia. That's all I can tell you for now.”
But Australian Broadcasting Corp. on Tuesday said it had confirmed newspaper reports that the immigration minister had overturned the potential three-year exclusion period for the 21-time major champion.