Australian tennis legend Rennae Stubbs is thrilled to hear that Novak Djokovic is set for his Australian Open return. On Tuesday, Australian media broke the news about the Australian government’s decision to rescue Djokovic’s three-year ban from entering the country.
Earlier this year, Djokovic was deported from Australia and banned for three years from entering the country. “The @AustralianOpen will have 9 time champ @DjokerNole in the draw! Thank god! Can we please just play tennis this year, thanks!” former six-time Grand Slam doubles champion Stubbs wrote following the Djokovic Australia news.
The @AustralianOpen will have 9 time champ @DjokerNole in the draw! Thank god! Can we please just play tennis this year, thanks! — Rennae Stubbs OLY (@rennaestubbs) November 15, 2022
Djokovic, the record Australian Open champion returns to Melbourne Park
Djokovic, a 21-time Grand Slam champion, has had the most Major success at the Australian Open.
In Melbourne, Djokovic is a record nine-time champion. Had Djokovic been allowed to compete at this year’s Australian Open, he would have been competing for his fourth consecutive Australian Open. In the absence of Djokovic, Rafael Nadal was the one that made it all the way.
Meanwhile – just before Australian media broke the news about Djokovic’s return to Australia – Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley hinted that everything was ready for Djokovic’s return. the right timing.
I don’t think there should be any preferential treatment for anyone. But I fully expect to have an answer for everyone by the time they need to book their flights and come in, including Novak. That’s entirely up to the Australian government.
I know Novak wants to come and play and to get back to competing. He loves Australia and it’s where he’s had the best success but the timing [on any announcement] is up to somebody else and we’ll just play that one by ear;” Tiley told AAP. It remains to be seen if Djokovic can clinch his 10th Australian Open title in January.