CNN
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Novak Djokovic has returned to Australia, according to a Tennis Australia spokesman, nearly a year after his visa ban was imposed on the country because of his stance on Covid-19 vaccination.
The 21-time Grand Slam champion is expected to open the 2023 tennis season next week in Adelaide for the Adelaide International 1. It comes. more than a month after Australian officials said Djokovic’s three-year travel ban would be lifted.
The Serbian was deported from Australia in January after former immigration minister Alex Hawke found the tennis star a risk to public health and order because, as a The famous athlete, who has previously expressed opposition to people being forced to get the Covid-19 vaccine, can be seen as an “icon” for anti-vaxxers..
The minister’s decision to deport the former world No. 1 male tennis player meant he was initially barred from re-entry for three years.
On Monday, Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley said, “We will be welcoming him back to Australia.”
Regarding the reception Djokovic should expect to receive from the Australian, Tiley said, “I have great confidence in the Australian public. I think we have a very well educated sports community, especially those who come into tennis. They love their tennis. They love to see greatness. They love to watch great sports, great games.
“I’m very confident that the fans will react the same way we hope they will and respect that,” he added.
CNN has reached out to the tennis star for comment.
Djokovic has won nine men’s singles titles at the Australian Open, more than anyone else in history. He will be playing in the 2023 patch next month.
Djokovic’s famous visa story overshadowed the Australian Open earlier in the year, pitting one of the greatest tennis stars against the Australian government and split opinion in a country that has enacted strict border pandemic restrictions.
The government revoked the Serbian player’s visa shortly after he arrived in Melbourne on January 5 for not receiving a Covid-19 vaccine.
Djokovic said he was under the impression he was able to enter the country because two independent boards related to Tennis Australia and the Victorian state government granted him immunity on the grounds that he had been infected with the virus for several weeks. before coming.
But the federal government argues that’s not a valid reason for an exemption under its rules.
A judge later ruled that border officers were “unreasonable” when they canceled Djokovic’s visa and ordered his release from an immigration detention center.
But his visa was later revoked for a second time and after a failed attempt to protest the decision, the tennis star left Australia.
Although he returned to compete in select tournaments after the challenge, the player’s view of Covid-19 vaccinations restricted him from participating in other tournaments.
In July, Djokovic won his 21st Grand Slam title after defeating Nick Kyrgios in the final at Wimbledon.
