Photo: Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via GettyNovak Djokovicis returning to Australia in 2023.After getting athree-year banfrom the country just days before the 2022 Australian Open, the Serbian tennis player, 35, isreportedlybeing granted a visa to compete in next year’s competition, held January 16-29, 2023.The Australian Broadcasting Corp. confirmed reports Tuesday that Andrew Giles, the new immigration minister, overturned Djokovic’s ban. According tothe Associated Press, Giles' office declined to comment on the visa status update on grounds of privacy.In January, the then-reigning champ attempted to get an exemption for Australia’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement to enter the country, arguing that he had recently recovered from the virus. After a 10-daylegal saga, Djokovic’s exemption was denied and he wasdeported from Australiaon the eve of the 2022 tournament.Shi Tang/GettyNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Djokovic has been locked out of other tournaments due to his refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Ahead of the 2022 Australian Open, he was ranked first in the world. But despite winning Wimbledon in July — where he was able to compete because there wasno COVID vaccination requirement— his ranking dropped from missing Australia and then he wasnot permitted to compete in the U.S. Openin August, putting him in eighth.When the likelihood of his participation in the U.S. Open seemed iffy, hemaintained his stanceon vaccination. “I’m not vaccinated and I’m not planning to get vaccinated,” he said at the time.He previously told BBC that withdrawal from tournaments was a"price that I am willing to pay"when asked about his vaccination hesitance.“I understand the consequences of my decision,” he continued. “I understand that not being vaccinated today, you know, I am unable to travel to most of the tournaments at the moment.“Djokovic also told the outlet that, though he is not opposed to vaccines, having “the freedom to choose what you put into your body” is more important to him than winning titles.
Photo: Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty
Novak Djokovicis returning to Australia in 2023.After getting athree-year banfrom the country just days before the 2022 Australian Open, the Serbian tennis player, 35, isreportedlybeing granted a visa to compete in next year’s competition, held January 16-29, 2023.The Australian Broadcasting Corp. confirmed reports Tuesday that Andrew Giles, the new immigration minister, overturned Djokovic’s ban. According tothe Associated Press, Giles' office declined to comment on the visa status update on grounds of privacy.In January, the then-reigning champ attempted to get an exemption for Australia’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement to enter the country, arguing that he had recently recovered from the virus. After a 10-daylegal saga, Djokovic’s exemption was denied and he wasdeported from Australiaon the eve of the 2022 tournament.Shi Tang/GettyNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Djokovic has been locked out of other tournaments due to his refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Ahead of the 2022 Australian Open, he was ranked first in the world. But despite winning Wimbledon in July — where he was able to compete because there wasno COVID vaccination requirement— his ranking dropped from missing Australia and then he wasnot permitted to compete in the U.S. Openin August, putting him in eighth.When the likelihood of his participation in the U.S. Open seemed iffy, hemaintained his stanceon vaccination. “I’m not vaccinated and I’m not planning to get vaccinated,” he said at the time.He previously told BBC that withdrawal from tournaments was a"price that I am willing to pay"when asked about his vaccination hesitance.“I understand the consequences of my decision,” he continued. “I understand that not being vaccinated today, you know, I am unable to travel to most of the tournaments at the moment.“Djokovic also told the outlet that, though he is not opposed to vaccines, having “the freedom to choose what you put into your body” is more important to him than winning titles.
Novak Djokovicis returning to Australia in 2023.
After getting athree-year banfrom the country just days before the 2022 Australian Open, the Serbian tennis player, 35, isreportedlybeing granted a visa to compete in next year’s competition, held January 16-29, 2023.
The Australian Broadcasting Corp. confirmed reports Tuesday that Andrew Giles, the new immigration minister, overturned Djokovic’s ban. According tothe Associated Press, Giles' office declined to comment on the visa status update on grounds of privacy.
In January, the then-reigning champ attempted to get an exemption for Australia’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement to enter the country, arguing that he had recently recovered from the virus. After a 10-daylegal saga, Djokovic’s exemption was denied and he wasdeported from Australiaon the eve of the 2022 tournament.
Shi Tang/Getty
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Djokovic has been locked out of other tournaments due to his refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Ahead of the 2022 Australian Open, he was ranked first in the world. But despite winning Wimbledon in July — where he was able to compete because there wasno COVID vaccination requirement— his ranking dropped from missing Australia and then he wasnot permitted to compete in the U.S. Openin August, putting him in eighth.
When the likelihood of his participation in the U.S. Open seemed iffy, hemaintained his stanceon vaccination. “I’m not vaccinated and I’m not planning to get vaccinated,” he said at the time.
He previously told BBC that withdrawal from tournaments was a"price that I am willing to pay"when asked about his vaccination hesitance.
“I understand the consequences of my decision,” he continued. “I understand that not being vaccinated today, you know, I am unable to travel to most of the tournaments at the moment.”
Djokovic also told the outlet that, though he is not opposed to vaccines, having “the freedom to choose what you put into your body” is more important to him than winning titles.
source: people.com
