Novak Djokovic 'accepted his position' after talks as Australian Open chief doubles

Novak Djokovic is waiting to hear if he can return to Australia in time for the first Grand Slam of 2023 after he was automatically banned from re-entering the country when he was deported earlier this year. And Australian Open boss Craig Tiley has now claimed the nine-time Down Under champion has 'accepted' his position as the decision is up to the federal government.

Djokovic found himself at the center of a scandal earlier this year when he arrived in Australia unvaccinated. He had his visa revoked and successfully appealed before the then immigration minister used his powers to revoke the Serbian's visa for the second time, leaving Djokovic deported on the eve of the Open of Australia when his second appeal was not granted.

The world number 7's chances of playing the Australian Open are now up in the air for the second year in a row, as all those expelled from the country receive an automatic three-year re-entry ban. As Djokovic waits to find out if this can be waived so he can compete in Melbourne in January, the Tennis Australia chief has now revealed the 35-year-old has 'accepted the position' he is in.

"What we're saying at this point is that Novak and the feds need to sort this out. And then we'll follow all instructions after that," Craig Tiley said as plans for the Open d Australia 2023 was unveiled on Wednesday.Tennis Australia helped Djokovic secure a medical exemption to arrive in the country in January, but stepped back this year and said it was all up to the federal government.

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“He has accepted this position. It is a private matter between them,” said the Australian Open tournament director, who doubled down on previous comments about the situation in the hands of the government. Djokovic did not hide that he would like to return to the tournament if he is able despite the saga in which he found himself involved at the start of 2022.

"I'm still waiting for news on my ban being lifted, I think I was banned from traveling for three years due to circumstances earlier this year," he said during the recent Astana Open. “Once that is removed, I have to apply for a visa. I want to go there and I want to play there."

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