Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open return hangs in the balance

One expert says offering “special treatment” to Novak Djokovic and granting him a visa to re-enter Australia could have big consequences.

Overturning Novak Djokovic’s three-year ban from entering Australia would be a “slap in the face” for Aussies that got vaccinated, former home affairs minister Karen Andrews says.

The blast comes after Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley told the Herald Sun the Serbian tennis star wants to return to Melbourne for the Australian Open.

Djokovic’s visa was this year cancelled by the previous government and he was deported on “health and good order grounds” for being an anti-vaxxer.

The move could have barred the tennis great from entering Australia for three years but it is believed the Albanese government is open to granting a visa so he can compete at the Open in January.

In a warning to the Albanese government, Ms Andrews says other people in similar circumstances may have had their visas cancelled and would need to have their bans reviewed too.

Former home affairs minister Karen Andrews has warned against granting Djokovic a visa.

“If there’s a change in the ban resulting from a new set of circumstances for Mr Djokovic then the Labor Government needs to apply the same rule equally to others in the same circumstances, regardless of their level of fame,” Ms Andrews told the Herald Sun.

“Otherwise, it would be a slap in the face for those people in Australia who did the right thing at the time.”

Opposition immigration spokesman Dan Tehan has also demanded no special treatment for Djokovic, arguing the integrity of the system must be protected.

But Mr Tehan was a bit more sympathetic to fans wanting to see the Serbian, ranked seventh in the world, compete for another grand slam.

“He’s won nine Australian Opens … and obviously for tennis lovers it would be great if he could play,” the Wannon MP said.

“But what we have to do is, we have got to make sure we protect the integrity of our immigration system.

“If they single out Djokovic for special treatment then that would be a hard policy for them to defend.”

Djokovic’s visa was this year cancelled and he was deported on “health and good order grounds” for being an anti-vaxxer.

Australian Open director Mr Tiley told the Herald Sun he expected and hoped Djokovic would apply for a visa to compete for a record 10th title at Melbourne Park.

“I do know he’d like to return to the AO,” Mr Tiley said.

“He’s the nine-time champion and of course we always want the best players in the world to compete.

“It’s a matter between him and the relevant federal authorities.”

Premier Daniel Andrews said it was up to the federal government to decide whether Djokovic was allowed in.

“Who gets into the country and whatever rules and different processes they have to go through is a matter for the Commonwealth government,” he said.

“The government of Victoria does not issue visas or passports, so that would be entirely a matter for the Commonwealth government.”

Because he was deported on character grounds, Djokovic could only return if the Immigration Minister agreed to a request to lift the travel ban on the basis the circumstances that led to previous concerns had changed.

Djokovic’s visa woes created a media frenzy.

As of July this year, unvaccinated visa holders no longer have to obtain travel exemption to enter Australia.

It is believed this policy shift would be a significant factor in considering any request from Djokovic to have his ban overturned.

A spokeswoman for Immigration Minister Andrew Giles said the government would not comment on individual cases due to privacy.

Djokovic was sent packing from Australia in messy scenes in January, despite winning a Federal Court appeal and training on Rod Laver Arena.

Days before being booted, he was detained under police guard on arrival at Melbourne Airport after a Border Force official cancelled his visa.

Originally published as Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open return hangs in the balance