‘Novak and the federal government need to work out the situation and then we’ll follow any instruction after that,’ says Australian Open director Tiley<\/strong><\/p>\n IMAGE: Novak Djokovic was kicked out of the country for not being vaccinated against COVID-19 and is barred from re-entering until 2025. Photograph: Darrian Traynor\/Getty Images<\/span><\/p>\n Russian and Belarusian players will be able to compete at the Australian Open as neutrals while Novak Djokovic would also be welcome to play if he can obtain a visa, tournament director Craig Tiley said on Wednesday.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Tennis authorities banned Russian and Belarusian players from international team competitions after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine earlier this year but allowed them to compete at regular tour events.<\/p>\n The French Open and US Open Grand Slams allowed them to compete as neutrals, though Wimbledon imposed an outright ban.<\/p>\n “At this point, Russian and Belarusian players will be eligible to play in the Australian Open,” Tiley told reporters.<\/p>\n “The only difference will be that they cannot represent Russia – cannot represent the flag of Russia.”<\/p>\n “They cannot participate in any activity such as the anthem of Russia and they have to play as independent players under a neutral name.”<\/p>\n “But they will be welcome to the Australian Open in January.”<\/p>\n Belarus has been used as a staging ground for Russia’s invasion, which Moscow calls a “special military operation”.<\/p>\n Tiley said nine-times Australian Open champion Djokovic would also be eligible if he is able to overturn a visa ban as part of his deportation in January.<\/p>\n The Serbian great was kicked out of the country for not being vaccinated against COVID-19 and is barred from re-entering until 2025, though the Australian government can waive the ban at its discretion.<\/p>\n Tiley said he had not had any contact with the government about Djokovic and that Australian Open organisers could not lobby on the Serb’s behalf.<\/p>\n “At this point … Novak and the federal government need to work out the situation and then we’ll follow any instruction after that,” Tiley said.<\/p>\n “It’s not a matter we can lobby on. It’s a matter that definitely stays between the two of them and then depending on the outcome of that we would welcome him to the Australian Open.”<\/p>\n Djokovic, who also missed the U.S. Open over his vaccination status, said last month he was waiting for “positive news” from Australian authorities.<\/p>\n However, Australia’s former Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews, an opposition lawmaker, said this week she was opposed to the government lifting Djokovic’s ban, saying it would be a “slap in the face” for Australians who have been vaccinated.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n[ad_2]\n<\/p>\n News From This Website <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"Australian](\"https:\/\/im.rediff.com\/sports\/2022\/jan\/13novak1.jpg\")
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