Tennis player Novak Djokovic intends to participate in the Australian Open in 2023, tournament chief Craig Tiley said Sunday.

The world number one was not allowed to compete in the ongoing event after being deported back to Serbia for failing to provide proof of vaccination. 

Tiley has blamed ‘miscommunication’ and ‘forever changing conditions’ for the player’s deportation, according to an AFP report.

Also Read: Novak Djokovic’s vaccine misery may extend to French Open

“Even just in the past week since (the ruling), things have changed in relation to the response to the pandemic. We were at the beginning of Omicron and that’s why we were constantly seeking clarity, and there was a lot of complexity and contradiction of information before, after and it continues to be all the way through,” he said. 

A Federal Court had unanimously rejected Djokovic’s appeal to remain in Australia and defend his crown on January 16, following which the player had to leave Melbourne and return to Serbia.

When asked if Djovovid planned to play in 2023 despite the possibility of his visa being revoked for the next three years, Tiley said, “Yes.”

Also Read: Novak Djokovic lands in Serbia as questions arise over French Open

“Obviously, he’s got to play out this year, but that will be his intention. At the end of the day, he’s the number one player in the world and he really loves the Australian Open,” he told ABC.

However, Daniel Andrews, premier of Victoria state that hosts the tournament, asserted that Djokovic would only be permitted to to play if he was vaccinated. 

“Rafa (Nadal) had it right. It could all have been avoided if he just got vaccinated, and that fellow might think he’s bigger than the tournament. He’s not. That’s why the tournament’s happening without him. And it’s a great success,” Andrews told reporters, according to AFP. 

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Djokovic, who believes his vaccination status is a private matter, had claimed on Instagram that he had obtained an exemption from Australian authorities. However, the news sparked outrage in Australia, which has endured months of restrictions and lockdowns due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.    

(With AFP inputs)