Novak Djokovic Arrives in Australia a Year After COVID Vaccine Drama and Deportation
Nearly a year after getting deported over his COVID-19 vaccine status, Novak Djokovic is back in Australia in pursuit of a record-extending 10th grand slam title at Australian Open.
Tennis Australia confirmed Wednesday that Djokovic landed in Adelaide the previous night to compete in the 2023 Adelaide International, which begins on Sunday, and the Australian Open which begins early next month.
Novak Djokovic playing a relaxed warm-up with his training team during a media opportunity ahead of the 2023 Adelaide International at Memorial Drive on Dec. 28, 2022 in Adelaide, Australia. (Mark Brake/Getty Images)
“Novak is welcome in Australia,” Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said at a news conference Tuesday. “I think as we speak he has landed in Adelaide, and he’s going to be the player to beat (at the Australian Open) again.”
Upon landing in Melbourne early last year, Djokovic’s visa was canceled by border officials who said he did not qualify for a medical exemption from Australia’s rules for unvaccinated visitors.
He was previously exempted from the tournament’s vaccine rules because he had COVID within the previous six months. He later won an appeal to stay for the tournament, but Australia’s immigration minister then revoked his visa.
Novak Djokovic arrives at center court during a media opportunity ahead of the 2023 Adelaide International at Memorial Drive on Dec. 28, 2022 in Adelaide, Australia. (Mark Brake/Getty Images)
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Three federal court judges ruled in favor of the immigration minister’s right to cancel Djokovic’s visa, and he was deported.
Djokovic has openly defended his choice not to get the vaccine, regardless of what tournaments in 2022 would allow him to compete. He competed at the French Open in
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