Novak Djokovic has returned to Australia following the tennis star’s high-profile visa ban

CNN
—

Novak Djokovic has returned to Australia, according to a Tennis Australia spokesperson, almost a year after his high-profile visa ban from the country over his stance on the Covid-19 vaccination.

The 21-time grand slam champion is set to open the 2023 tennis season next week in Adelaide at the Adelaide International 1 tournament. More than a month after Australian officials said Djokovic’s three-year ban would be overturned.

The Serbian was deported from Australia in January after former immigration minister Alex Hawke said the tennis star was a risk to public health and order because of a celebrity athlete who had previously expressed opposition to forcing people to take the Covid-19 vaccine. could be seen as an anti-vaxxers icon.

The ministers’ decision to expel the former world number one player initially meant a three-year ban on his return.

Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley said on Monday: We welcome him back to Australia.

As for the reception Djokovic should expect from the Aussies, Tiley said, “I have a lot of confidence in the Australian crowd.” I think we have a well-educated sports audience, especially in tennis. They love tennis. They love to see greatness. They love to see great sportsmanship and great matches.

I trust that the fans will react the way we hope they will and respect that, he added.

CNN has contacted the tennis star for comment.

Djokovic has won nine Australian Open singles titles, more than anyone else in history. He is scheduled to play in the 2023 edition next month.

Djokovic’s high-profile visa saga overshadowed the Australian Open earlier this year, pitting one of tennis’ biggest stars against the Australian government and dividing opinion in a country that had imposed strict pandemic border restrictions.

The Serbian visa was revoked by the government shortly after his arrival in Melbourne on January 5 because he was not vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus.

Djokovic said he was under the impression he could enter the country because two independent panels involving Tennis Australia and the Victorian state government had granted him an exemption on the basis that he had contracted the virus weeks before his arrival.

But the federal government argued that was not a valid reason for an exemption under its statute.

A judge later ruled that border officials had been unreasonable in revoking Djokovic’s visa and ordered his release from an immigration detention center.

But his visa was revoked a second time, and after losing his bid to challenge the decision, the tennis star left Australia.

Despite returning to action in select tournaments after the ordeal, the players’ Covid-19 vaccination status limited his participation in others.

In July, Djokovic won his 21st grand slam title, defeating Nick Kyrgios in the Wimbledon final.