- Miami Open Draws and Schedule for Tuesday, March 19, 2024
- Miami Open Draws and Schedule for Monday, March 18, 2024
- Men’s Tennis Final In Indian Wells • BNP Open • Carlos Is Himself Again By Alix Ramsay
- BNP Paribas Open Finals Photo Gallery by Rob Stone
- Alcaraz defends Indian Wells title, Swiatek also wins for second time
- Home For Sale Minutes From The Indian Wells Tennis Gardens
- BNP Paribas Open Men’s Semifinal Photo Gallery by Rob Stone
- SOLINCO NEW RACQUETS THE WHITEOUT AND BLACKOUT XTD+
- Alcaraz halts Sinner hot streak in semis of BNP Paribas Open
- BNP Paribas Open Draws and Schedule for Sunday, March 17, 2024
- BNP Paribas Open Women’s Semifinal Photo Gallery by Rob Stone
- BNP Paribas Open Draws and Schedule for Saturday, March 16, 2024
- BNP Paribas Open Quarterfinal Photo Gallery by Rob Stone
- Pegula, Keys, Navarro Lead U.S. BJK Cup Squad
- BNP Paribas Open Draws and Schedule for Friday, March 15, 2024
Djokovic undefeated at Nitto ATP Finals and gets green light to play Australian Open
- Updated: November 16, 2022
It has been a perfect week so far for Novak Djokovic. Not only is he undefeated at the Nitto ATP Finals through two matches, but he also received news on Tuesday that he will be allowed to play the 2023 Australian Open.
Djokovic was infamously deported out of Australia prior to the first Grand Slam of 2022 because of an invalid visa due to being unvaccinated. That punishment came with a possible three-year ban from the country, but Australia’s immigration minister has decided not to enforce it.
“Well, of course I was very happy to receive the news yesterday,” the 35-year-old Serb said after beating Andrey Rublev 6-4, 6-1 on Wednesday afternoon in Turin. “Yeah, it was a relief obviously knowing what I and people closest to me in my life have been through this year with what happened in Australia and post-Australia, obviously. I could not receive better news–for sure–during this tournament, as well.
“Did it affect my game today? I would like to believe it did. Why not? I don’t think it did affect me too much because I’m familiar with what I need to do in order to prepare myself for every match. Of course, knowing that I have clarity now, what I do in the offseason, starting the season in Australia, also of course did relieve some of the pressure me and my team. Just giving that clarity makes it great for us.”
Djokovic, who finds himself atop the Red Group at 2-0 having also defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas on Monday, is 82-8 lifetime at Melbourne Park with a record nine titles. He has triumphed in each of his last three appearances (2019, 2020, 2021).
“(The) Australian Open has been my most successful Grand Slam,” he assured. “I made some of the best memories there. Of course I want to go back there, I want to play tennis, do what I do best, (and) hopefully have a great Australian summer.”
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand. You can follow him on twitter at @Dimonator.