“I want to go back”: Novak Djokovic weighs in on Australian visa outcome
Novak Djokovic has said he was “very happy” to find out that he will be allowed to compete at the Australian Open next year, after he was granted a visa that lets him return to the country.
The World No.1 was barred from entering Australia until 2025 after being at the centre of a major international drama ahead of this year’s Australian Open, which saw him being held in a detention centre for attempting to enter the country without being vaccinated.
But, Djokovic will now be able to go for his record-extending 10th Australian Open title after receiving the visa and has said he couldn’t have received “better news”.
“It’s a relief, obviously, knowing what I and people closest to me in my life have been through this year with what happened in Australia and post-Australia obviously,” he said after defeating Andrey Rublev at the ATP Finals in Turin.
"I could not receive better news for sure — during this tournament as well. [The] Australian Open has been my most successful grand slam. I made some of the best memories there.
"Of course, I want to go back there, I want to play tennis, do what I do best, hopefully have a great Australian summer.
"I'm always thankful to go through experiences, no matter what the experiences are. I try to be optimistic and positive in life.
"I look forward to starting the new year in Australia, and we'll see how the next year goes."
Having received the news before the match, where Djokovic beat Rublev 6-4, 6-1 to qualify for the semi-finals, the 35-year-old reckons the good news helped him perform on court.
"Did it affect my game today? I would like to believe it did,” he said.
“Why not? I don't think it did affect me too much because I'm familiar with what I need to do in order to prepare myself for every match.
"Of course, knowing that I have clarity now, what I do in the off-season, starting the season in Australia, also of course it did relieve some of the pressure me and my team felt. Just giving that clarity makes it great for us."
After missing out on this year’s competition, the Serbian athlete’s future in Australia has looked like a possibility since the government ended rules requiring overseas visitors to declare their Covid vaccination status in July.
Earlier this week, Djokovic commented that he had received positive signs about the ban being overturned and his potential return.
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