Novak Djokovic Back In Australia A Year After Deportation

Novak Djokovic celebrates some extent throughout his Males's Singles Ultimate match in opposition to Dominic Thiem of the 2020 Australian Open on Feb. 2, 2020 in Melbourne.

Graham Denholm through Getty Photographs

ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) — Novak Djokovic has arrived in Australia virtually a 12 months after he was deported over his stance in opposition to COVID-19 vaccination, Tennis Australia confirmed Wednesday.

Djokovic will open his 2023 marketing campaign in Adelaide as he prepares for a shot at a tenth Australian Open title.

The 21-time main winner has been granted a visa by the Australian authorities and is listed to play on the Adelaide Worldwide, which begins Sunday.

The 35-year-old Serb arrived in Adelaide on Tuesday night time, the governing physique confirmed.

Australian Open event director Craig Tiley indicated at a information convention Tuesday that Djokovic had arrived.

“Novak is welcome in Australia,” Tiley stated. “I feel as we communicate he has landed in Adelaide and he’s going to be the participant to beat (on the Australian Open) once more.”

The Australian Open runs from Jan. 16-29 in Melbourne.

Djokovic missed the Grand Slam final 12 months due to his refusal to be vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19. Australia has since lifted strict guidelines for unvaccinated vacationers.

Immigration Minister Andrew Giles final month confirmed that Djokovic, who had been going through a doable three-year ban after being deported, was granted a visa.

Djokovic has received the Australian Open a document 9 instances, together with the final 3 times he performed. Rafael Nadal received the 2022 title in Djokovic’s absence.

“Through the years I’ve been actually lucky to start out very robust in Australia and I really like enjoying there,” Djokovic stated in Dubai final week at an exhibition event. “After clearly what occurred earlier this 12 months, hopefully I can have a good reception there and hopefully that may assist me play some good tennis.”

However questions stay round how Djokovic can be obtained by Australian followers. Tiley advised reporters Tuesday he believed Djokovic can be well-received.

“I've an excessive amount of confidence within the Australian public,” Tiley stated. “We’re a really well-educated sporting public, significantly those that come to the tennis. They love their tennis, they love seeing greatness, they love seeing nice athleticism, nice matches.

“And I've loads of confidence that the followers will react like we hope they might react and have respect for that.”