Novak Djokovic's inability to play at certain Grand Slam tournaments could continue in 2023.
The Serbian star missed both the Australian Open and US Open this year due to his decision not to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Djokovic was dramatically deported out of Australia in January after previously being given a medical exemption to enter the country.
His ultimate absence allowed Rafael Nadal to edge past both Djokovic and Roger Federer for most Grand Slam titles won.
MORE: Federer beaten in farewell match alongside Nadal | Kyrgios forced to withdraw from Japan Open
While Australia continues to ease their COVID-19 rules, Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley admitted Djokovic's participation in 2023 remains up in the air with the government required to waive his ban.
"It's not a matter we can lobby on," Tiley said.
"Novak and the federal government need to work out the situation and then we'll follow any instruction after that.
"It's a matter that definitely stays between the two of them and then depending on the outcome of that we would welcome him to the Australian Open."
In September, Djokovic said he was hopeful he'd be able to play at the 2023 Australian Open as he stood by his decision not to get vaccinated and the consequences that have come with it.
“It’s really not in my hands right now. So I’m hoping I will get some positive news," Djokovic said.
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“I don’t have any regrets. I mean, I do feel sad that I wasn’t able to play, but that was a decision that I made and I knew what the consequences would be. So I accepted them and that’s it.
“I’m not used to making, obviously in the last 15-20 years, longer breaks between the tournaments, but it is what it is."
While Djokovic may not be allowed to compete at the Australian Open in 2023, Tiley confirmed Russian and Belarusian players can player under certain conditions.
"They cannot participate in any activity such as the anthem of Russia and they have to play as independent players under a neutral name," said Tiley.
The 2023 Australian Open is expected to get underway on January 16 in Melbourne.
Author[s]
Josh is a content producer for The Sporting News Australia.
Tennis star Novak Djokovic will be given a visa by the Australian government, allowing him to play the 2023 Australian Open.
Guardian Australia understands the immigration minister, Andrew Giles, will give Djokovic a visa, overturning a three-year ban that accompanied the decision by the previous government to cancel his visa on the eve of the 2022 open.
In January 2022 the then Coalition government revoked Djokovic’s visa on the grounds a recent Covid diagnosis did not justify an exemption to Australia’s requirement for visitors to be vaccinated.
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Although Djokovic won a temporary reprieve in the federal circuit court, the then immigration minister, Alex Hawke, decided to cancel the visa on the basis Djokovic’s presence in Australia might risk “civil unrest” as he is “perceived by some as a talisman of a community of anti-vaccine sentiment”.
Djokovic lost a second federal court case, resulting in his deportation just days before he was to contest the tournament, seeking his 10th Australian Open crown in search of a record 21st grand slam title.
Australia has since overturned its requirement for visitors to be vaccinated. To overturn the three-year ban, the minister must be satisfied that compelling circumstances exist to let a person who had previously had their visa revoked to return.
Djokovic told reporters after winning his opening match at the ATP Finals in Turin on Monday night that he had heard “nothing official yet” from the Australian government.
“We are waiting,” he said. “They are communicating with the government of Australia. That’s all I can tell you for now.”
Earlier on Tuesday the director of the Australian Open, Craig Tiley, expressed optimism that the Serbian tennis star would be allowed into Australia to compete.
“There’s a normal visa application process that everyone is going through right now, and everyone will go through the right timing,” Tiley said.
“I don’t think there should be any preferential treatment for anyone. But I fully expect to have an answer for everyone by the time that they need to book their flights and come in, including Novak.
“That’s entirely up to the Australian government. 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 [on any announcement] is up to somebody else and we’ll just play that one by ear.
“He understands the circumstances and everything but he’s got to work it out with the federal government. I’m confident they’ll reach some arrangement and hopefully it’s positive.”