"The entire situation was a bit of a circus" - Eubanks on Djokovic deportation from Australia
ATP
Christopher Eubanks called out Novak Djokovic's deportation from Australia ahead of this year's Australian Open, calling it "a circus."
Djokovic's deportation from Australia stole the headlines earlier this year. The Serbian player was deported from the country after entering, thinking he had a valid exemption.
It was a moment that overshadowed the opening Grand Slam tournament of the season, and Djokovic certainly doesn't remember it fondly.
With the major in Melbourne right around the corner again, many started looking back on what happened last year, as Djokovic will want to enter the country again next year.
Djokovic's fellow ATP player, Christopher Eubanks, spoke about the topic during a recent appearance on the Tennis Channel. The 26-year-old player admitted that he hopes Djokovic will be allowed to compete at the Australian Open in 2023.
"I hope Novak is able to play this Australian Open, I mean the entire situation was a bit of a circus at times but I really don't attribute too much of that to Novak Djokovic."
"I think there was a lot of blame to go around between Tennis Australia and the Australian government, maybe relaying information or maybe the wrong information. Novak came, he thought he was going to be able to compete and because he was given the wrong information, he was deported."
Eubanks is aware that Djokovic can't get a visa for the next three years after he was deported. However, the American player believes that the Serbian player will be able to get an exemption and enter the country.
"We know the rule that if you're deported, you cannot get a visa for three years. We understand all that. However, I do believe that Novak will be able to play, I hope that he is able to play."
"I hope that they are able to come to some type of compromise that will allow him to compete because by his own definition, he tried to follow the rules that were put before him and it just was a very unfortunate incident how it all went down."
