A top Australian Open official has said that nine-time winner Novak Djokovic can play in the tournament if the government allows him, but they "cannot lobby for him." The former no 1, who is unvaccinated against Covid-19, was banned from entering the country till 2025.
According to tournament director Craig Tiley, Djokovic and the federal government "need to work out the situation, and then we'll follow any instruction after that."
"It's a matter that definitely stays between the two of them, and then depending on the outcome of that, we would welcome him to the Australian Open," Tiley was quoted by the BBC. He added that it was "not a matter we can lobby on."
Despite the ban, Australian government can give him an exemption. The 2023 Australian Open begins on Monday, January 16 in Melbourne.
"He’s accepted that position. It’s a private matter between them but we’d like to welcome Novak back – he’s a nine-time champion – provided he gets the right entry requirements into Australia," Tiley added.
The Serbian player who won the Wimbeldon could not play at this year’s US Open due to his unvaccinated status. According to the US rules, any non-US citizen must be fully-vaccinated against the virus in order to receive a visa and enter the country.
Meanwhile, Russian and Belarusian players will be allowed to play though Russians will not be allowed to represent their country. "They cannot participate in any activity such as the anthem of Russia and they have to play as independent players under a neutral name," said Tiley.
Though tennis authorities had banned Russian and Belarusian athlets from competing at international team competitions due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, they could participate at regular tour events.
Though the French Open and the US Open allowed them to compete as neutrals, the Wimbledon imposed an outright ban on Russians, including former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev.
