Russian and Belarusian players will be able to compete at the Australian Open as neutrals while Novak Djokovic would also be welcome to play if he can obtain a visa, tournament director Craig Tiley said on Wednesday.
Tennis authorities banned Russian and Belarusian players from international team competitions after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine earlier this year but allowed them to compete at regular tour events.
The French Open and US Open allowed them to compete as neutrals, though Wimbledon imposed an outright ban.
“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.” Belarus has been used as a staging ground for Russia’s invasion, which Moscow calls a “special military operation”.
Tiley said nine-time Australian Open champion Djokovic would also be eligible if he is able to overturn a visa ban as part of his deportation in January.
The 21-time grand slam champion wasn’t allowed to defend his Australian Open title in January after a tumultuous 10-day legal saga that culminated with his visa being revoked on the eve of the tournament eventually won by Rafael Nadal.
Djokovic originally was granted an exemption to strict vaccination rules by two medical panels and Tennis Australia in order to play but, after travelling to Melbourne believing he had all his paperwork in order, the exemption was rejected by the Australian Border Force.
The Serbian great is barred from re-entering until 2025, though the Australian government can waive the ban at its discretion. Tiley said he had not had any contact with the government about Djokovic and that Australian Open organisers could not lobby on the Serb’s behalf.
“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.
