Speaking to the media after beating Andrey Rublev at the 2022 ATP Finals on Wednesday, the Serb expressed delight at the news.
Djokovic was deported from Australia earlier this year, mere hours before the tournament began. His unvaccinated status, coupled with some errors in the visa application form, saw the Serb being detained before eventually being deported from the country.
After arriving at the Melbourne Airport in January, Djokovic argued that he had a valid medical exemption to enter the country. But former Australian immigration minister Alex Hawke proceeded to cancel the Serb’s visa, stating that he could fuel anti-vaccine sentiments Down Under.
Since January, Djokovic and his battery of lawyers have been trying hard to get the nine-time champion cleared of those charges so that he could feature in the 2023 Australian Open. On Wednesday, the 35-year-old credited the news of the ban being overtuned for boosting his morale and positively impacting his performance against Rublev.
“Of course, I want to go back there, I want to play tennis, do what I do best” - Novak Djokovic on the 2023 Australian Open
During the press conference, Novak Djokovic acknowledged that he would now have the “clarity” he needed to leave no stone unturned in his preparations for the 2023 Australian Open.
The Serb holds no ill will against the year’s opening Slam, and he expressed his eagerness and delight at returning to his most successful Major.
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