Australian Open
Another chance for Novak Djokovic? The tennis star could come back to Australia in 2023
Another chance? Maybe Novak Djokovic can make up for his missed tournament next year.
© Darko Bandic/AP/DPA
Novak Djokovic is on his way back to Serbia. However, the Australian Prime Minister has hinted that the tennis star could return Down Under as early as next year. Djokovic can now hope for that.
After the scandal in Australia, Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic is now returning to his homeland. As the AP news agency reports, the 34-year-old will reach Serbia’s capital Belgrade at around 12:10 p.m. on Monday. The world number one left Melbourne on Sunday evening after Australia’s federal court rejected his appeal against the visa annulment.
His hopes for the tenth title at the Australian Open ended one day before the tournament started. Djokovic, who was not vaccinated against the corona virus, wanted to take part in the Grand Slam tournament with a medical exemption, but the authorities had refused him entry.
Novak Djokovic can still hope
Australia’s Immigration Minister Alex Hawke welcomed the court’s decision on Twitter. At the same time, he emphasized that he had revoked the tennis professional’s visa in the public interest.
According to the decision, Djokovic will no longer be allowed to enter Australia for three years. That’s what the immigration law says. That means he won’t be able to compete in the Australian Open again until 2026. But he could possibly return sooner. As reported by the broadcaster ABC News, citing government circles, Djokovic could be back on the tennis court as early as next year.
“I will not do anything that will not allow the Minister to make the necessary calls. It will take three years, but under the right circumstances you can return. We are considering that,” said Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday morning. Home Secretary Karen Andrews said if Djokovic had a “compelling reason” to return in the future then it would be considered. At the moment it is all “hypothetical”. “Every application is checked for its justification,” she said.
Departure in Economy Class
According to “Bild” information, Djokovic arrived in Dubai in the morning after a thirteen-and-a-half hour flight. After a three-hour stay, he is to fly on to Serbia. A state reception is planned there. As the “Bild” also reports, the tennis star is said to have flown to Dubai in business class instead of first class. According to the report, there should only have been seats in the lower class without their own cabin, shower and à la carte restaurant.