Tennis Australia calls in experts over Novak bungle
Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley had an interesting take on whether Melbourne crowds will offer Novak Djokovic a warm reception.
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Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley has revealed the governing body has engaged immigration specialists for the Australian Open in the wake of this year’s Novak Djokovic visa bungle.
Australian Open boss Mr Tiley on Wednesday confirmed he had met with anti-vaxxer Djokovic and discussed a possible return to Melbourne for next year’s Melbourne grand slam.
“I did have a chat to Novak and we spoke generally,’’ he said.
“He said that he would obviously love to come back to Australia but he knows it’s going to be an ultimate decision for the federal government and he’s accepted that position.’’
The Herald Sun this week revealed Mr Tiley expected and hoped that Djokovic would apply for a visa to compete for a record 10th title at Melbourne Park, but said it was up to the federal government to decide if he was fit for a visa after being deported on character grounds in January.
He said Tennis Australia had now hired “a third party resource’’ to handle visas for foreign players and support after Djokovic was this year detained at Melbourne airport by border force officials, sent to a quarantine hotel, cleared by a court to enter Australia only to be booted by the former federal government.
“We do need additional resources, particularly for this year ... it’s an ongoing process,’’ he said.
“Bringing on additional external resources will help streamline the process moving forward,’’ he said.
“Absolute Immigration is the name of the organisation and this is their expertise.
“The application of the visa is directly between the applicant and the federal government and they grant that visa on the basis of that application but that process is fairly significant when you have a large number of people during a short period of time.’’
State sports minister Steve Dimopoulos said the Andrews Government would not make representations to Canberra to aid Djokovic’s hopes of playing in Melbourne.
Mr Tiley said he had not spoken to any federal ministers on the issue.
“Right now the matter with Novak is direct between himself and the Federal Government,” he said.
“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.
He said he would like him to play “provided he gets the right entry requirements into Australia’’.
The matter needs to be resolved by December, when a deadline for entry into the Open closes.
Launching next year’s Open, Mr Tiley also revealed Russian athletes would be allowed to compete at the tournament but not under their national flag or colours.
“At this point Russian and Belarusian players will be eligible to play the Australian Open and they, like every other player, will have to go through the process,’’ he said.
“The only difference would be that they can’t represent Russia, they can’t represent the flag of Russia, they cannot activate any activity such as the anthem of Russia and have to play as independent players under a neutral name.
“But they will be welcomed to the Australian Open in January.’’
With opinions divided on whether Djokovic should be allowed back into the country to play, Mr Tiley said it would be interesting to see what sort of reception he received from the Melbourne crowd.
“If he is granted and has a successful application to come then the crowd reaction is hard to predict,’’ he said.
“I’m of the personal view we have great fans...it remains to be seen on that but I would hope that as Australians and fans and patrons in the stands we are moving on as best we can.’’
He said no extra security would be offered for Djokovic on court.
And he understood the concerns of Victorians who stood against Djokovic being let back in the country.
“I’m one of those Victorians who had to deal with death in the family because of Covid so I have a great deal of sympathy and empathy for that,’’ he said.
“We are in a different environment today than we were a year ago and we are going to do the best we possibly can coming into January to put on a great event for Melbourne and for Victoria.
“And try as best as we can to get past the last two years because it’s been tough for Victorians.’’
Originally published as Tennis Australia calls in experts over Novak bungle
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