"I will be waiting for permission" Djokovic on Australian Open participation

Tuesday, 25 October 2022 at 12:00

Updated at Wednesday, 26 July 2023 at 14:26

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byKadir Macar

Novak Djokovic is still unsure whether he can play at the Australian Open but he'll wait for permission this time around.

Djokovic was held by immigration for hours in Australia last year, which was one of the worst experiences of his life. The Serbian entered the country under special circumstances that allowed him to do so without vaccination, but his visa was eventually withdrawn because of worries about public safety.

“For the choices I made, I knew there would be certain consequences like not going to America, and that is it. For Australia it was a different case, I had the exception, but in the end, it did not work out," explained Djokovic briefly touching upon a subject he largely avoids talking about.

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"We know what happened, let’s not go back. This time I am waiting for the permission again. It is a good thing that they have now opened the borders for unvaccinated foreigners travelling to Australia. I have that ban, I hope it will be lifted. As I said, it is not in my hands, I hope the people in the Australian Government will give a positive answer, that is all.” - concluded Djokovic when asked about the Australian Open.

He has won it nine times in the past, and if allowed to enter the country next year, he might get the tenth that he wants so desperately. The band may be lifted, according to reports from Australia, but no official action has taken place as of yet.

The Serbian won't finish the year as the best-ranked player in the world which is something he always mentioned as important to him. It might be Alcaraz and Djokovic feels it would be deserved: "Alcaraz is the world number one, he is the best. Nothing more to add, the rankings show it. It is a fact that I played less, Wimbledon points did not count, maybe it would have been different in different circumstances, but that is a ’what if’”