Despite refusing to have the Covid-19 immunization, Novak Djokovic has been "allowed to participate" in the Australian Open in January, according to the Australian newspaper The Herald-Sun.
The 21-time Grand Slam winner had his visa canceled in January due to his capacity to "excite anti-vax sentiment" in Australia and was immediately subject to a three-year ban.
He was ejected from the nation on the day of the competition because of the cancelled visa. As a result, he couldn't compete at the first Grand Slam of the season, and his main rival, Rafael Nadal thrived in his absence, winning his 21st major title.
Now, with the 2023 edition of the tournament around the corner, the Serbian's participation is starting to be discussed once again. Since the government changed in Australia, there have been rumors that the ban would be reversed, and while not yet official, the report seems to indicate that it will happen.
If it happens, the Serbian will be allowed to enter the country despite not being vaccinated. He was unable to enter the United States for the same reason, which is why he did not play at the US Open, possibly missing out on two Grand Slam titles.
If he's indeed allowed to compete Down Under, it will be good news for Djokovic whose season this year started with the fiasco in Melbourne, and undoubtedly impacted the reminder of his season.
He played his first match in February in Dubai, and the fact that he has been away from the ATP Tour for some time was palpable. He lost in the quarterfinals of the tournament to Jiri Vesely, and his next tournament, the Monte-Carlo Masters two months later, also proved to be unsuccessful as he lost to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in his first match.
Despite all the disappointment, Djokovic was still able to win the 2022 Wimbledon Championships, adding his 21st Grand Slam title to the collection.
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