Tennis Australia powerless to support Djokovic's visa application, says CEO Tiley

Tennis Australia is powerless to support Novak Djokovic should the 21-time Grand Slam champion attempt to enter the country for the Australian Open next year, said the organisation's CEO Craig Tiley.

Djokovic was deported from Australia in January, after arriving in the country to defend his ninth Australia Open title, due to being unvaccinated against Covid-19. The Serb had travelled Down Under with a medical exemption, having tested positive for the coronavirus in the December, but that was not deemed a sufficient reason by the authorities.

A tumultuous 10-day legal saga ensued that saw Djokovic largely confined to an immigration detention hotel before his visa was revoked on the eve of the tournament.

Djokovic originally was granted an exemption to strict vaccination rules by two medical panels and Tennis Australia but, after traveling to Melbourne believing he had all his paperwork in order, the exemption was rejected by the Australian Border Force.

“It is not a matter we can lobby on. It is a matter that definitely stays between the two of them,” Tiley said Wednesday at a launch for the 2023 event, referring to Djokovic and the Australian government.

“And then, depending on the outcome, we would welcome him to the Australian Open.”

Being deported made Djokovic subject to a possible three-year exclusion period that prevents the granting of a further temporary visa, although Australian Border Force in January said any exclusion period “will be considered as part of any new visa application and can be waived in certain circumstances."

Australia has changed its border rules and, since July 6, incoming travellers no longer have to provide proof of Covid-19 vaccinations.

Tiley was heavily criticised for his role in the