Australian Open officials won’t lobby federal government to overturn Novak Djokovic’s travel ban

Novak Djokovic’s playing status for the Australian Open remains unclear as a battle with the Australian government looms.

Australian Open boss Craig Tiley says he hasn’t and won’t lobby the federal government, which has the ultimate say on whether nine-time champ Novak Djokovic will play this summer’s event.

Djokovic is subject to a three-year ban from entering Australia, imposed by former immigration minister Alex Hawke because of his vaccination status.

The Serbian was dramatically deported from Australia on the eve of this year’s tournament and also banned from entering the US Open this year for the same reason.

A decision on overturning the ban, and opening the door for Djokovic to return, rests with the federal government. Tiley said he would “follow instruction” after that decision was made and would stay out of it until then.

“At this point, Novak and the federal government need to work out the situation and then we’ll follow any instruction after that,” Tiley said on Wednesday at the launch of the 2023 tournament.

“It’s not a matter we can lobby on. 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.”

Craig Tiley and Novak Djokovic after his 2021 Australian Open win. Picture: Andy Cheung/Getty Images

Tiley also said he’d received no communication from the federal government about Djokovic’s status, revealing the former world No.1 had told him he was keen to return to Melbourne Park.

“He said that he’d obviously love to come back to Australia, but he knows it’s going to be an ultimate decision for the federal government,” he said.

“He’s accepted that position. It’s a private matter between them, but we’d like to welcome Novak back – he’s a nine-time champion – provided he gets the right entry requirements into Australia.”

Tennis Australia has brought on external immigration specialists to help deal with the demand from players and their entourages, with double the applicants of last year.

Originally published as Australian Open officials won’t lobby federal government to overturn Novak Djokovic’s travel ban