What Novak Djokovic told Australian Open chief in private talks at Laver Cup

Novak Djokovic is waiting to hear if the Australian federal government will lift his three-year ban on returning to the country in time for the Australian Open in January. The world number 7 was sent off earlier this year, automatically receiving the ban as a result. And Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley has now shared what Djokovic told him during their recent Laver Cup chat.

Djokovic's fate at the Australian Open is in the hands of the federal government as the 35-year-old anxiously waits to find out if he will lift the automatic three-year ban he received when he was expelled from the country in January. . At present, the Serb cannot return to Australia until 2025 but hopes the ban will be lifted so he can compete in three months.

The world number 7 received a medical exemption from Tennis Australia to enter the unvaccinated country earlier this year when the vaccine was a requirement, but Tiley confirmed he would not pressure the government to take this decision this time. And the Australian Open Tournament Director also gave some insight into Djokovic's thoughts on the situation after a recent conversation at the Laver Cup.

"I hung out with Novak at the Laver Cup," the CEO of Tennis Australia said at Wednesday's launch of the Australian Open 2023. "We talked in general." Tiley confirmed the nine-time Aussie Open winner wanted to be back at the tournament despite his experience earlier this year, but accepted it was not his decision.

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The Tournament Director continued: "He said he obviously would like to come back to Australia, but he knows it will be an ultimate decision for the Federal Government. He has accepted the position. It is a private matter between them.

"We would like to welcome Novak - he is a nine-time champion." While Tiley wanted to see Djokovic back in Melbourne for the Australian Open, there has already been some backlash as the 35-year-old awaits the verdict on his ban.

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Home Secretary Karen Andrews said