Craig Tiley, tournament director of the Australian Open, announced on Wednesday that athletes from Russia and Belarus will be able to compete in the 2023 event, and that Serbia’s Novak Djokovic (who was disqualified this year) will be welcome if he can secure a visa. , reports Reuters.
Players from Russia and Belarus can participate in Australian Open 2023
Tennis authorities banned Russian and Belarusian athletes from international team competitions after the start of Russia’s military offensive in Ukraine, but allowed the relevant athletes to compete in regular tournaments on the track.
Roland Garros and the US Open allowed players from Russia and Belarus to compete as neutral athletes. Wimbledon banned the participation of athletes from two countries.
“At the moment, Russian and Belarusian athletes have the right to compete at the Australian Open. The only difference will be that they cannot represent Russia – they cannot represent the Russian flag.
They cannot participate in events such as the singing of the Russian national anthem, and must perform as independent athletes under a neutral name. But they will be happy at the Australian Open in January,” he said Tylee.
Novak Djokovic will be able to play at the 2023 Australian Open if he receives a visa
Tiley also said Serbia’s Novak Djokovic would be eligible if he could get a visa.
At the last tournament, Djokovic was expelled from Australia because he was not vaccinated against Covid-19. The Serb is banned from entering Australia until 2025, but the Australian government could lift the ban.
Tiley said he had not spoken to the government about Djokovic and that Australian Open organizers could not come to the Serb’s defense.
“Now … Novak and the federal government have to resolve the situation, and then we will implement the decision. This is not a question we can ask for. It’s a middle ground between the two sides, and then, depending on the result, he will be welcome at the Australian Open,” explained the tournament director, quoted by News.ro.
Novak Djokovic, who also missed the US Open because he is not vaccinated, said last month that he was expecting positive news from Australian authorities.
The Australian Open will be held from January 16 to 29, 2023.
Source: Hot News RO
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