The pathway has now been cleared for tennis great Novak Djokovic’s return to the Australian Open after his visa ban was overturned by the Australian government on Tuesday.
Djokovic was infamously detained on entry and eventually deported in January over his refusal to be vaccinated against COVID, despite him winning a legal challenge on the grounds of having a medical exemption.
However, months later, Immigration Minister Andrew Giles overturned that decision to deny him entry and the three-year ban which was attached following his deportation, BBC reports.
Australia, which was experiencing a surge in COVID cases, had some of the strictest lockdown measures in the world during that time.
The then 9-time defending champion had flown into Australia believing he had obtained the medical exemptions required.
However, he was detained and questioned by border officials in Melbourne on January 5, with his visa being canceled the following morning, which prompted the very publicized saga between the Serb and the government.
Despite a successful legal challenge to overturn his denial, then-Immigration Minister Alex Hawke used “special discretionary powers” to cancel it again, arguing it was “in the public interest” to do so.
A decision that was met with a split opinion by the local Australian public.
However, a change in government following the elections in May also saw a clear change in its posture regarding the case.
Djokovic was expectantly pleased with the news of the lifting.
“I could not receive better news for sure — during this tournament as well. [The] Australian Open has been my most successful grand slam. I made some of the best memories there.”
“Of course, I want to go back there, I want to play tennis, do what I do best, hopefully, have a great Australian summer. The 21-time Majors champion shared with media following his game at the ATP finals.
“I’m always thankful to go through experiences, no matter what the experiences are. I try to be optimistic and positive in life.
“I look forward to starting the new year in Australia, and we’ll see how the next year goes.”
The news came right before Djokovic produced one of his performances of the year to defeat Andrey Rublev 6-4, 6-1, and qualify for the semi-finals of the season-ending event in Italy.
