Australian Open: Russians and Belarusians can compete and Novak Djokovic will be welcome - Craig Tiley
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ByEurosport
Updated 12/10/2022 at 15:38 GMT
Russians and Belarusians were banned from playing at Wimbledon this year in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine which began in early 2021. The French Open and Wimbledon allowed players from both nations to compete under a neutral flag. Ahead of the Australian Open, tournament chief Craig Tiley says players can compete as neutrals and Novak Djokovic will also be welcome to play at the event.
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Russians and Belarusians will be able to compete as neutrals when the Australian Open gets underway in January.
Tennis authorities banned Russian and Belarusian athletes from international competitions after Russia's invasion of Ukraine earlier this year, but were still able to compete in ATP and WTA Tour events.
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley says athletes from both nations will be able to compete in the 2023 Grand Slam which gets underway in Melbourne on January 16th.
"At this point, Russian and Belarusian players will be eligible to play in the Australian Open," Tiley told reporters.
"The only difference will be that they cannot represent Russia - cannot represent the flag of Russia.
"They cannot participate in any activity such as the anthem of Russia and they have to play as independent players under a neutral name.
"But they will be welcome to the Australian Open in January."
Nine-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic was deported from the country this year ahead of the 2022 tournament as he was not vaccinated against Covid-19.
The Serbian is currently banned from Australia until 2025 although the Australian government can decide to waive the ban.
Tiley says the nine-time champion would be welcome at the Grand Slam if the government allow him in.
"At this point, Novak and the federal government need to work out the situation and then we'll follow any instruction after that," Tiley said.
"It's not a matter we can lobby on. It's a matter that definitely stays between the two of them and then depending on the outcome of that we would welcome him to the Australian Open."
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