Novak Djokovic welcome to play Australian Open, says tournament director, but only if the government will let him

• Novak Djokovic can play at next year's Australian Open if the government will let him, according to the tournament's director.
• "Novak and the federal government need to work out the situation," said Craig Tiley.

Novak Djokovic is welcome to play at next year's Australian Open if the Australian government will let him, tournament director Craig Tiley told reporters on Wednesday.

Djokovic was deported from Australia ahead of this year's Australian Open for not being vaccinated against COVID-19.

He was subsequently barred from re-entering the country until 2025; however, the Australian government can choose to waive the ban.

"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."

Djokovic, who also missed the US Open because of his vaccination status, said last month he was hoping to "get some positive news" from the Australian authorities.

However, Australia's shadow home affairs minister Karen Andrews said last week that letting Djokovic play next year would be a "slap in the face" for citizens who have been vaccinated.

"I don't think there is any reason it should be overturned because someone has a lot of money," Andrews told ABC Radio Melbourne on Sunday.

"It shouldn't be one rule for Novak Djokovic and a different rule for everybody else."

While Djokovic could still miss next year's Australian Open, players from Russia and Belarus will be free to compete, said Tiley.

Tennis authorities banned Russian and Belarusian players from international competitions after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February but allowed them to compete in ATP and WTA Tour events.

The French Open and US Open allowed players from the two countries to compete as neutrals, while Wimbledon imposed an outright ban.

"At this point, Russian and Belarusian players will be eligible to play in the Australian Open," said Tiley.

"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."