Novak Djokovic receives lawyer backing over Australian Open ban as row escalates

Novak Djokovic has been backed by a lawyer as he hopes to have his ban from Australia lifted

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Novak Djokovic has received fresh backing from a lawyer over his ban on returning to Australia. The world No 7 was automatically barred from entering the country after being deported back in January and is hoping the ban will be lifted in time for January’s Australian Open, though some aren’t happy with the idea of him returning.

Djokovic is facing an anxious wait to learn whether he will be allowed to play the 2023 Australian Open. While the tournament is happy to have their nine-time champion back, Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley confirmed that the matter of overturning Djokovic’s three-year ban was in the federal government’s hands.

It means the 21-time Grand Slam champion may be stopped from playing the tournament if his ban until 2025 is upheld, though one lawyer believes he has a good chance of returning as he poses no “risk”. Immigration lawyer Kon-ming Tsai said it would be “in Australia’s best interests” to let Djokovic back in time for January’s Australian Open.

“There is no risk factor here with allowing him back in," he told AP on Thursday. "He’s not going to create a problem for the community. He is one of the world’s best tennis players and will be able to pull in a lot of foreign visitors.”

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