MELBOURNE: Players from Russia and Belarus will be able to compete at the Australian Open as neutrals while Novak Djokovic would also be welcome to play if he can get a visa, tournament director Craig Tiley said on Wednesday.
Tennis authorities banned Russian and Belarusian players from international team competitions after Russia invaded Ukraine earlier this year, but allowed them to participate in regular tours.
The French Open and US Open Grand Slam allowed them to compete as neutrals, although Wimbledon imposed an outright ban.
“At this point Russian and Belarusian players will be eligible to play at 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 must play as independent players under a neutral name.
“But they will be welcome at the Australian Open in January.”
Belarus was used as a base for the Russian invasion, which Moscow calls a “special military operation”.
Tiley said nine-time Australian Open champion Djokovic would also be eligible if he was able to overturn a visa ban as part of his January deportation.
The tall Serbian was kicked out of the country for not being vaccinated against COVID-19 and is banned from returning until 2025, although the Australian government can lift the ban at its discretion.
Tiley said he had no contact with the government about Djokovic and the Australian Open organizers could not lobby on the Serb’s behalf.
“At this point…Novak and the feds need to sort this out, and then we’ll follow all instructions after that,” Tiley said.
“It’s not a matter that we can put pressure on. It’s a matter that definitely stays between them and depending on the outcome, we will welcome him to the Australian Open.”
Djokovic, who also missed the US Open due to his vaccination status, said last month he was awaiting “positive news” from Australian authorities.
However, Australia’s former Home Secretary, Karen Andrews, an opposition MP, said this week she was opposed to the government lifting the ban on Djokovic, saying it would be a “slap in the face for Australians who have been vaccinated.