Entry this time without drama
Djokovic is back in Australia
Novak Djokovic is training again. And not just anywhere, but in Australia – in the country from which he was expelled at the beginning of the year.
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Novak Djokovic is in a good mood completing a training session in Adelaide.
Novak Djokovic (35) is in Australia.
The tennis superstar landed in Adelaide on Tuesday, according to The Age newspaper. And without drama.
That is remarkable: As recently as January 2022, Djokovic’s attempt to enter the country had caused a stir for weeks. At that time, the Serb arrived without the necessary corona vaccination, and his visa was subsequently declared invalid. For days he had to remain in forced quarantine in a deportation hotel, and after several court hearings he was expelled from the country. And that one day before the start of the Australian Open.
Now nothing stands in the way of participating in the first Grand Slam tournament in 2023 (January 16 to 29). His three-year entry ban was lifted by the authorities, and Immigration Minister Andrew Giles had issued him the necessary visa. In addition, a corona vaccination is no longer a prerequisite for entry. That’s why the trip was no problem for the still unvaccinated Djokovic
“Welcome him to Australia”
The organizers of the Australian Open are happy that their record champion (nine titles) will be back. “We welcome him to Australia,” said Craig Tiley, the tournament’s CEO. “I have great confidence in the Australian public. I am very confident that the fans will react as we hope.”
Djokovic has now fallen from 1st place in the ATP ranking to 5th place. This is because he was not allowed to take part in the US Open in autumn because of his vaccination status and there were no world ranking points for his victory in Wimbledon.
Djokovic, for his part, completed a first training session in Adelaide in a good mood. In the South Australian city he will contest the ATP 250 tournament next week and get the finishing touches for the Australian Open. “I love playing in Australia,” he said at an exhibition in Dubai in mid-December. His goal should be clear: he wants to win title number 10 in Melbourne and thus a Grand Slam tournament for the 22nd time. (bir)