The 35-year-old Serb had become the center of a national controversy that led to the Australian Open, with questions about whether he should have received a medical exemption to enter Australia as he is not. vaccinated against coronavirus.
Finally, the Minister of Immigration of Australia, Alex Hawke, ordered Djokovic to leave the country, a decision that entails a three-year entry ban. The decision was appealed by Djokovic but upheld by an Australian court.
The sanction can be waived, as the Morrison government has indicated it would consider doing so for the upcoming Australian Open. The position of the new government on the issue has not been established.
But Djokovic said that if allowed, he would compete again in Australia, where he has won the Grand Slam competition nine times.
“I don’t hold any grudges,” he said. “Look, you know, it was what it was. If I get a chance to go back to Australia and play in a place where I’ve had the greatest success of my Grand Slam career, I’d love to go back.”
Until the fourth round of the French Open, Djokovic is number 1 in the ranking.