Novak Djokovic, 35 years old and number 5 in the world, will not be able to defend the crown at the Australian Open 2022. Worse, he ended up being deported by the Ministry of Immigration considering that he could be a champion of not vaccinating against Covid and – pose a problem to public order. An expulsion endorsed by the courts.
Unvaccinated against the coronavirus, as he repeatedly said, he came to Australia with an exemption endorsed by the Australian Open, by the State of Victoria, which the central government does not consider optimal.
The deportation carries a three-year ban on re-entry, but the vaccination requirement has been waived in Australia and the Serb has been granted his visa. His ban on entering the territory was lifted at the same time, in November. There was also a change of government in the ‘aussie’ country.
“In the past, I always had the opportunity to start my years in Australia very strong and I wanted to play there,” said Djokovic, who is fighting in Dubai World Tennis League, a mixed team exhibition tournament.
Without the Australian Open, or US Open, he lost the world number one . Despite everything, he managed to win the Wimbledon tournament and closed the course by winning the ATP Finals in Turin.
“I want to play as long as possible,” Nole said when asked about his future. I don’t really have a date in mind. Things are going well for me so far. I can’t complain. As long as he plays at this level, as long as he has the fire inside, I’ll keep going,” he said.
Should a tenth Australian Open title be won, it would tie the record for most Grand Slam titles currently held by the Spaniard. Rafael Nadal with 22. Manacorí will present the crown in Melbourne this time.
How does Novak Djokovic expect the Australians to respond after what happened in January? “I hope they receive me well and it helps me play my best tennis,” he said, hoping that this event will not have a negative influence on a stage he adores.
Source: La Verdad
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