Unvaccinated superstar: Djokovic hopes to take part in the Australia Open – expert gives him hope

Tennis star Novak Djokovic he could, according to one expert, have a good chance of participating in the Australian Open despite his entry ban. “There is no risk factor in allowing him to return,” immigration attorney Kon-ming Tsai told The Associated Press Thursday. In his opinion of him, a voice of the 21-time Grand Slam winner is “in Australia’s best interest”: “He will not pose a problem to the community. He is one of the best tennis players in the world and will be able to attract many foreign visitors. “.

Tsai said Djokovic has a good chance of success if he applies for an entry visa. All he should do is write to the Australian border authorities, explaining his exceptional circumstances and asking for the re-entry ban to be lifted. According to the Australian Border Protection Agency, an entry ban can be lifted under certain circumstances and each case will be examined individually.

35-year-old Djokovic wants to start the Grand Slam tournament in Melbourne next January, tournament director Craig Tiley announced Wednesday. It is up to the Serbs themselves to clarify “the situation” with the government. Djokovic, who was not vaccinated against Covid-19, had to leave Australia after entering the Australian Open in January this year after a legal dispute. He was also granted a three-year entry ban for the country.

Criticism of the possible special treatment for nine-time tournament winner came from opposition politics Karen Andrews, who was Djokovic’s interior minister at the time of his deportation. “It would be a slap in the face of the Australian people if Novak Djokovic were suddenly allowed to return to the country just because he is a top tennis player,” Andrews told ABC radio.

In addition to the Australian Open, Djokovic also missed the US Open in August this year because he was not allowed to enter the United States without being vaccinated. The Australian Open is the first Grand Slam tournament of the year which will take place in Melbourne from January 16th to 29th.