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Novak Djokovic Australian Open 2021

‘We are doing our best’ – Novak Djokovic told Australian Open trying to welcome him back


The Australian Open are ‘doing their best’ to get Novak Djokovic to Melbourne for 2023, tournament director Craig Tiley has said.

Melbourne was the scene of Djokovic’s sensational deportation from Australia earlier this year as the 21-time Grand Slam winner found himself at the heart of a vaccination row.

Australia have since dropped the vaccination requirement to enter the country, although Djokovic is ineligible to obtain a visa for three years as part of the deportation order.

There have been some suggestions that the new Australian government may intervene on his behalf, and Craig Tiley is certainly keen to welcome Djokovic back to Melbourne Park.

“I think we are doing our best,” Tiley told Sport Klub.

“Clearly, it’s not my decision whether he will be able to play at the Australian Open, but Novak is always welcome, he knows that many people in Australia like to watch him play.

“It is up to others to make a decision, but there is still a lot of time before the Australian Open next year. [For now] I think everyone should now enjoy his victory at Wimbledon.

“Novak played outstandingly and absolutely deserved to win,” Tiley said. “He played fantastic, I’m happy for him and his team.

“It was a difficult year, but he is practically invincible on Centre Court. Now I congratulate them on an incredible two weeks. Novak did an excellent job.”

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Michael Graham, Tennishead.net Editor, has been a professional sports journalist for his whole career and is especially passionate about tennis. He's been the Editor of Tennishead.net for over 5 years and loves watching live tennis by visiting as many tournaments as possible. Michael specialises in writing in-depth features about the ATP & WTA tours.