Djokovic granted visa to compete in Australian Open

Novak Djokovic has confirmed that he will take part in next year's Australian Open after being granted a visa.

"I was very happy to receive the news yesterday," the 35-year-old said after his victory over Andrey Rublev at the ATP Finals on Wednesday.

Djokovic, who is Serbian, was deported from Australia in the lead-up to the Grand Slam in January after he declined to be vaccinated for Covid-19.

The former world number one was originally barred from the country until 2025.

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said this month that Djokovic would be welcome in January if he could get a visa, but that Tennis Australia was unable to lobby on his behalf.

Australia has scrapped a rule that required international travelers to declare their Covid-19 vaccination status, and Djokovic said in October he had received "positive signs" about the status of efforts to overturn his ban.