Australia: Novak Djokovic will return and start his Australian Open assault on January 1st at the Adelaide International after he was deported from the country over his lack of COVID-19 vaccination. The Serbian player, who was held and then deported by officials earlier this year before the Australian Open, will be permitted to enter the nation after receiving a visa from the Australian Government.

The world’s No. 5 tennis player will not participate in the first United Cup and will instead begin the season at The Drive in Adelaide because of Serbia’s failure to qualify for the teams’ competition. World No. 6 Felix Auger-Aliassime, No. 7 Daniil Medvedev, No. 8 Andrey Rublev, No. 15 Jannik Sinner and two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray will also feature, as per the reports.

The combined WTA 500 and ATP 250 tournament will also welcome four of the world’s top 10 women – Ons Jabeur, Aryna Sabalenka, Daria Kasatkina and Veronika Kudermetova.

Djokovic will then shoot for his 10th Australian Open title and record-equalling 22nd grand slam victory when the action begins at Melbourne Park on 16th January 2023.

According to the statement, Djokovic, 35, has won the Australian Open a record nine times, including the last three times he played. Rafael Nadal won this year’s title in Djokovic’s absence. Prior to the event in 2022, Djokovic did not have a COVID-19 vaccination. However, Australia has subsequently relaxed its rigorous policies on unvaccinated guests.

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