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Tennis

Novak Djokovic Can Compete at Australian Open After His Visa Ban is Overturned

We watched one of the biggest scandals in the modern history of tennis unfold last year when Novak Djokovic was deported from Australia, but there’s a new twist to this story. The 21-time Grand Slam champion can compete at the Australian Open after his visa ban has been overturned. Back in January, Djokovic made the headlines around the world after being detained in Melbourne following the cancelation of his visa. The players at the Australian Open were required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time, but Djokovic claimed to have a medical exemption. His visa was eventually canceled and he was automatically banned from entering the country for three years. Following his ban, Djokovic’s team made an effort to have it overturned, and the Serbian player recently said they’re communicating with the Australian government and waiting for their verdict. This week, BBC confirmed that the new Immigration Minister Andrew Giles overturned his ban. Even after this decision, Djokovic’s return to the Australian Open isn’t official just yet, but the tournament’s director Craig Tiley is confident he’ll play at the event. “I know Novak wants to come and play and to get back to competing. He loves Australia and it’s where he’s had the best success, but the timing [of an announcement] is up to somebody else and we’ll just play that one by ear,” Tiley told Australian Associated Press.