Russian and Belarusian tennis players can play as neutrals at the 2023 Australian Open, while Novak Djokovic is more than welcome if he gets a visa, tournament director of the year’s first major Craig Tiley said on Wednesday (10/12). .

Tennis federations have banned Russian and Belarusian tennis players from international team events following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but allow them to compete individually in tournaments without having a flag next to their name.

Only Wimbledon went a step further, excluding the two nationalities from singles, which is not what the Australian Open intends to do.

“Right now, Russians and Belarusians can play at the Australian Open 2023. The only difference is that they cannot represent Russia. They have to compete as independent tennis players under a neutral flag. But they are welcome in Australia,” Tiley said.

The Australian Open strongman also referred to the case of Novak Djokovic, who was unable to attend this year’s event and his presence in Melbourne became a mega fiasco for both the event itself and the Australian government.

The 9 title holder in Australia has been kicked out of the country for not being vaccinated and even banned from Kangaroo Island until 2025, although the new Australian government could potentially overturn that ruling.

“At this point Novak and the government need to work together and we will follow the guidance. It is not an issue on which we can exert pressure. It is a matter between the two sides and we will be happy to welcome him back at the Australian Open.

Djokovic, who also missed the US Open because of his vaccination, said last month he was waiting for “positive news” from Australian authorities.

But former Australian Home Secretary Karen Andrews, an opposition MP, said this week she opposed the government’s lifting of the ban on Djokovic, saying it would be a “slap in the face” to vaccinated Australians.

source: tennis24