Novak Djokovic has declared his plans to take pleasure in “a great Australian summer” after being granted a visa to return to the nation which can allow him to shoot for extra grand slam glory in Melbourne.
The Serbian all-time tennis nice revealed on Wednesday that he was “very happy” to obtain the news that will enable him to go for a record-extending tenth Australian Open title, and it was confirmed in writing to the world on Thursday morning.
“Since the cancellation of Mr Djokovic’s visa in January 2022, all COVID-19-related Australian border restrictions under the Biosecurity Act 2015 have been removed, including the requirement to provide evidence of COVID-19 vaccination status to enter Australia,” Immigration Minister Andrew Giles mentioned in an announcement.
“Mr Djokovic has subsequently been granted a temporary visa to enter Australia.”
The 35-year-old had been barred from Australia till 2025 however revealed his delight that the choice has been reversed.
“I was very happy to receive the news yesterday,” Djokovic, who’d been on the centre of main worldwide drama on the eve of this yr’s occasion when he was held in a detention centre for trying to enter the nation whereas not vaccinated earlier than being deported amid a authorized battle, mentioned.
But talking in Turin after defeating Andrey Rublev on the ATP Finals, the Serbian mentioned: “It’s a relief, obviously knowing what I and people closest to me in my life have been through this year with what happened in Australia and post-Australia obviously.
“I could not receive better news for sure – during this tournament as well. Australian Open has been my most successful grand slams. 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.
“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 got here earlier than Djokovic produced one among his performances of the yr to outplay Rublev 6-4 6-1 to qualify for the semi-finals of the season-ending occasion – and he reckoned it could have helped his recreation out on courtroom.
“Did it affect my game today? I would like to believe it did. Why not? I don’t think it did affect me too much because I’m familiar with what I need to do in order to prepare myself for every match,” he mentioned.
“Of course, knowing that I have clarity now, what I do in the off-season, starting the season in Australia, also of course it did relieve some of the pressure me and my team felt. Just giving that clarity makes it great for us.”
The return of Djokovic had regarded on the playing cards ever since July when Australia scrapped its rule requiring guests from abroad to declare their COVID vaccination standing.
Australian Open event director Craig Tiley had mentioned Djokovic could be welcome again if he may get a visa, however that Tennis Australia couldn’t foyer on his behalf.
After lacking the Australian Open and US Open over his COVID-19 stance, the still-unvaccinated Djokovic will now have the ability to shoot for Rafael Nadal’s Melbourne crown whereas additionally trying to equal the Spaniard’s males’s document of twenty-two grand slam crowns.
