Australian Open Championship. Djokovic will be there looking for his 10th title in Melbourne, 22nd at the Grand Slams

Novak Djokovic will not miss the Australian Open again, as he received a visa for next January. “Yesterday (Tuesday) I was very happy to receive the news. It’s a relief“The Serbian said during the year-end ATP Masters in Turin. “Having a clear vision now, knowing what I’m going to do in the off-season, starting the season in Australia, that’s certainly putting pressure on me as well.added the 36-year-old man.

The Australian Open, whose next match is scheduled for January 16-29,The Grand Slam that suits me the most,” recalled Djokovic, who has won nine of his 21 major titles there to date. “I have some of my fondest memories there. Obviously I want to get back there, play tennis there, do what I do best, hopefully have a great Australian summer.“He spat beforehand.

Last year, having been unvaccinated against Covid to enter the territory of Australia, but finally denied an exception, he was deported at the end of the political-judicial procedure, just before spending a few days in a migrant center. of the tournament. He was also hit by the three-year inadmissibility. However, since then vaccinations have been abolished in Australia and the government has changed. In January, the conservative ruling coalition was replaced by a center-left cabinet led by Labor’s Anthony Albanese.

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The issue of elevated vaccine remained a question of inadmissibility at the discretion of the government. And the negotiations took place. Djokovic said Monday that his lawyers “discussed with the Australian Government“But he added that he cannot say anything else.”for the moment“, being”Wait impatiantly“.

Australian Open director Craig Tiley had urged the two sides to come to an agreement, but, baffled by events in January, he assured he would follow up.any instruction“of the government. And on Tuesday, the Australian media announced that the national authorities have decided to grant a visa to the former world number 1, which the footballer confirmed on Wednesday.

So to celebrate, he advanced to the semi-finals of the Turin Masters by sweeping Russia’s Andrei Rublev (6-4, 6-1). Because despite(his) family and those closest to him have been through this year in Australia and the events that followed“The Serb joined the year-end tournament, which brought together the eight best players of the season.

I had more time to train, more time with my coach and the team on and off the field, trying to improve myself.

Novak Djokovic

A shortened season for him, in which he was unable to defend his title in Melbourne or play in North American tournaments where the anti-covid vaccine was mandatory, namely the US Open, while Rafael Nadal, winner in Australia and Roland Garros, brought; His number of Grand Slam titles has reached 22. Unprecedented in men’s tennis.

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But since he resumed competition, the Serb is nearly unbeatable. He chained titles in Tel Aviv and Astana before a surprise loss in the final of the Masters 1000 in Paris against young Dane Holger Rooney. In Turin, where he is aiming for a sixth victory to equal Roger Federer’s record, he defeated his first two opponents (Tsitsipas and Rublev) in straight sets and played at a very high level.

“The advantage of not playing many tournaments is that we are fresher. But to be able to play like what I’ve been playing for the last few months excites me. I worked hard to get there because I had more time to train, more time with my coach and team on and off the court, trying to improve myself.“, he emphasized. Understand that the players who will be on his way to Melbourne in January will have a lot to do.