However, upon arriving at Melbourne Airport, the 20-time Grand Slam champion had his visa revoked and was detained by border force officials. Although he had the decision overturned on appeal, his visa was then cancelled again and, this time, a federal court upheld the ruling and he was deported home the day before the tournament began.
Djokovic, 34, does seem set to play in the French Open in May after France relaxed Covid-19 laws, but since the debacle down under, has been barred from playing in tournaments in Miami and Indian Wells. His lack of match action allowed Daniil Medvedev to end his long standing reign as world no 1.
And now, National Bank open organiser Eugene Lapierre has admitted the event may well have to go ahead without one of the star attractions. The tournament is due to start on August 6, and will form an important part of the build-up to the 2022 US Open.
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