Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic drops major hint about returning to Melbourne

Controversial tennis star Novak Djokovic claims he has been given some “positive signs” he will be allowed into Australia for January’s Australian Open.

TOPSHOT - Serbia's tennis champion Novak Djokovic disembarks from a plane after being deported in 2022

Controversial tennis star Novak Djokovic claims he has been given some “positive signs” that he will be allowed into Australia for January’s Australian Open.

While they are “unofficial”, he has declared he hopes to have an answer on whether he will have his three-year ban from the country overturned in “the next few weeks”.

The Serbian tennis champion was sensationally deported on the eve of this year’s grand slam amid drama surrounding his vaccination status and, as claimed by the government, his status among anti-vaccination campaigners.

Djokovic said he only has added motivation to return to Melbourne Park in the wake of this year’s saga.

“When it comes to Australia, there are some positive signs, but unofficially,” Djokovic told Sportal from Belgrade.

“We are communicating through my lawyers in Australia.

“In fact, they are communicating with the authorities in charge of my case.

“I hope to have an answer in the next few weeks – whatever that answer might be, but of course I am hoping for a positive one – so that I have enough time to prepare for the start of the season, if that start is going to happen in Australia.”

Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates with the trophy after defeating Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas in their men's singles final match at the Astana Open

Djokovic was housed in a Melbourne hotel with refugees as his lawyers battled the Australian government after it was claimed he attempted to breach entry rules at the border surrounding his Covid vaccination status.

While entry rules to Australia no longer dictate that travelers have to be vaccinated, his deportation resulted in a three-year ban from entering Australia.

He was also later disallowed from entering the United States, barring his US Open hopes.

“Some of the biggest tournaments in the world are held (in those countries) … I respect that everyone has a different way of thinking in relation to my situation and my circumstances,” he said.

“After all, I have never offended anyone or ever tried to be disrespectful in any way. I always tried to show that it is important for everyone to have the right and freedom of choice.

“For the choices I made, I knew there would be certain consequences like not going to America, and that is it. For Australia it was a different case, I had the exception, but in the end it did not work out. We know what happened, let’s not go back. This time I am waiting for the permission again. It is a good thing that they have now opened the borders for the unvaccinated foreigners traveling to Australia. I have that ban, I hope it will be lifted. As I said, it is not in my hands, I hope the people in the Australian Government will give a positive answer, that is all.”

Serbia's Novak Djokovic was deported in January

The nine-time Australian Open champion said he was “over” the deportation drama that derailed the start to his 2022 season - a year he described as “peculiar”.

“I really want to go there, I am over what happened this year and I just want to play tennis, it is what I do best,” he said.

“Australia has always been the place where I have played my best tennis, the results speak for themselves, so I am always extra motivated to go there. This time even more so.”

“I am hoping for a positive answer.”

He said that “the way people have treated me (this year) … did not feel nice”.

“It is something I have never experienced before in my life – has helped me to learn some valuable lessons,” he said.

“Lessons about myself, about life and about the way I should move on in this world, especially in the tennis ecosystem.”

Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley said just a fortnight ago that the governing body would not lobby the government in relation to Djokovic.

“Right now, the matter with Novak is direct between himself and the federal government,” he said.