Novak Djokovic Anxiously Waiting For Permission To Perform At Australian Open 2023

Novak Djokovic (Twitter @djokernole)

JAKARTA - Novak Djokovic is still hopeful of getting permission to compete at the Australian Open in January after missing this year due to not being vaccinated against COVID-19.

The tennis player who holds 21 Grand Slam titles was deported from Australia in January after his ten-day legal process culminated in the revocation of his visa. Now he certainly hopes to appear even though he hasn't been vaccinated yet.

"It's really not in my hands at the moment. So, I hope I will get some positive news," the Serb said at a press conference at the Laver Cup on Thursday, September 22, as reported by the Calgary Herald.

Djokovic is currently trying to catch Rafael Nadal's record for Grand Slam titles. The Spaniard still leads the list of the most successful men's singles in the biggest event with 22 titles.

The tennis player who has a record nine titles at Melbourne Park is still one trophy ahead of Roger Federer (20 titles). However, Federer is out of the competition as he will retire after the Laver Cup in London.

Despite trying to match Nadal, Djokovic persisted in rejecting the vaccine. He would rather be kicked out of the tournament than have to receive an injection of the coronavirus vaccine.

Djokovic's decision to refuse the vaccine has prevented him from participating in two of the four Grand Slam tournaments this season. One other tournament that didn't give him permission was the US Open which just ended this month.

In addition, he also missed four other major events because the United States and Canada currently still prohibit the entry of foreign nationals who have not received the COVID-19 vaccine.

"I have no regrets. I mean, I feel sad because I can't play [at the US Open], but it was a decision I made and I know what the consequences will be. So, I accepted it," he said.

This season Djokovic only appeared at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. He lost to Nadal in the quarter-finals in France in June before winning his 21st Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in July.