The Australian government initially banned Djokovic from entering the country for three years after losing his legal battle to do so, before lifting procedures imposed on visitors who travel there to show proof of their vaccination.
Last November, the Australian government confirmed that Djokovic, the 9-time Australian Open winner, was no longer barred from entering its territory and granted him a visa to participate in the Open Championship, the first of four major tournaments in the Grand Slam scheduled for next month.
Football Federation Australia chairman Craig Tiley expressed hope that Djokovic’s return would be welcomed by local fans, telling several reporters: “We welcome him back to Australia. I think he’s on his way to Adelaide and I’m talking to you and I think he’s going to be the player everyone wants to beat.”
“I have great faith in the local fans and we hope they will react as we would like,” he added. Djokovic will participate in the Adelaide tournament, starting on Sunday, which is one of the preparatory stages of the Australian Open.
Djokovic, who is looking to win his 22nd Grand Slam title to match Spain’s Rafael Nadal in Dubai, commented last week: ‘In recent years I’ve been lucky enough to get a good start in Australia and I enjoy playing there.’
He continued: “Of course, and after what happened to me earlier this year, I hope to receive a good reception, in the hope that this story contributes to my presentation of good tennis.”
Djokovic arrived in Australia last January to participate in the Melbourne tournament, claiming he has a medical exception to enter Australian territory without being vaccinated against Covid-19 because he had recovered from the infection shortly before.
But border authorities said the Serbian star did not meet the criteria for the exemption and was held for five days during which he lodged a losing appeal before being deported.
