Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic is back in Australia, according to a spokesperson with Tennis Australia, nearly a year after his high-profile visa ban from the country over his stance on Covid-19 vaccination.
The 21-time grand slam champion is slated to open his 2023 tennis season next week in Adelaide for the Adelaide International 1.
It comes more than a month after Australian officials said that Djokovic’s three-year ban from entering the country would be overturned.
The Serbian was deported from Australia in January after former immigration minister Alex Hawke, found the tennis star posed a risk to public health.
The minister’s decision to deport the former world No. 1 men’s player meant he was initially banned from re-entry for three years.
Goverrnment revoked the Serbian’s visa shortly after his arrival in Melbourne on January 5 because he was not vaccinated against Covid-19.
However on Monday, Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley said, “We will welcome him back to Australia.”
Djokovic has won nine men’s singles titles at the Australian Open, more than anyone else in history. He is entered to play in the 2023 edition next month.
A judge later ruled that border officers had been “unreasonable” when they canceled Djokovic’s visa and ordered his release from an immigration detention center.
But his visa was then revoked for a second time and after losing his bid to challenge the decision, the tennis star left Australia.
Despite his return to action in selected tournaments following the ordeal, the player’s Covid-19 vaccination stance restricted his participation in others.
