Allowing Novak Djokovic to play Australian Open ‘would be a slap in the face’ says politician Karen Andrews

It would “be a slap in the face for those people in Australia who did the right thing” to allow Novak Djokovic to play at the 2023 Australian Open, says Australia’s shadow home affairs minister Karen Andrews. Djokovic had his visa cancelled and was deported ahead of this year's Australian Open owing to his Covid vaccination status. Usually, under those circumstance, he would be banned from returning to Australia for three years.

Ad The cancellation of his visa means he could be banned from returning to the country for three years. ATP Astana‘I felt a strange pop in my adductor’ – Medvedev explains shock retirement against DjokovicA DAY AGO However, the Serbian, who has won the Australian Open on nine occasions, has expressed a desire to compete at Melbourne Park next year. The 2023 Australian Open takes place from January 16-29.

A change in government means it is not inconceivable that he be afforded the opportunity to go for a 10th title. Former home affairs minister Karen Andrews has said that any decision to allow him into the country would be an affront to normal Australians. “It would be a slap in the face for those people in Australia who did the right thing … if all of a sudden, Novak Djokovic is allowed back into the country, simply because he is a high-ranking tennis player with many millions of dollars,” Andrews told ABC Radio Melbourne.