JAKARTA - Australia's Immigration Minister said he was "personally" interfering in visa decisions that opened the door for Novak Djokovic to play in the upcoming Grand Slam tennis tournament in the country.
The former world number one was deported from Kangaroo Country ahead of the Australian Open earlier this year after refusing to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
However, with a significant easing of pandemic restrictions since then, Immigration Minister Andrew feasibility said the unvaccinated Serbian can now return to play.
"Since the cancellation of Mr. Djokovic's visa in January 2022, all Australian border restrictions related to COVID-19 have been removed, including the requirement to provide evidence of a COVID-19 vaccination status to enter Australia,"
"Mr Djokovic was then granted a temporary visa to enter Australia."
The Australian government previously banned Djokovic from returning to Australia until 2025.
Amplikasi mengatakan bahwa, sebagai menteri imigrasi negara, dia adalah satu-satunya yang memiliki kekuatan untuk membatalkan larangan tersebut.
"Power... can only be done by the minister himself," saidTEN.
Djokovic, who has won the Australian Open nine times, said he was relieved to get a visa.
"It's a relief to know what my closest people and I have gone through this year with what happened in Australia and post-Australia, of course," Djokovic said.
Djokovic arrived in Melbourne in January for his first Grand Slam this year, claiming he had received a medical exemption from being able to enter the country without being vaccinated as he had just recovered from COVID-19.
However, Australian border officials said he did not meet the requirements to be exempt from strict vaccination rules, and his visa was canceled following the protracted failure of a lawsuit.
Former Immigration Minister Alex Hawke said at the time that Djokovic "interimated by some as ansifatsment" of anti-vaccination sentiment, and his presence in the country could trigger "civil riots."
Australia has since lifted requirements for visitors to show evidence of a COVID-19 vaccination.
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