SportsMoney Novak Djokovic ‘Cleared To Play’ Australian Open Despite Refusing To Get Vaccinated: Report Adam Zagoria Contributor Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. I'm a basketball and tennis insider Following New! Follow this author to stay notified about their latest stories. Got it! Sep 11, 2022, 09:19am EDT | New! Click on the conversation bubble to join the conversation Got it! Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 27: Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses with the Norman Brookes Challenge . . . [+] Cup following victory in his Men's Singles Final match against Rafael Nadal of Spain during day 14 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) Getty Images Novak Djokovic has been “cleared to play” in the Australian Open in January despite his refusal to get the Covid-19 vaccination, according to the Herald-Sun of Australia. The 21-time Grand Slam champion was deported from the country on the eve of the tournament back in January after having his visa revoked over his ability to "excite anti-vax sentiment" in Australia and automatically received a three-year ban. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in January Djokovic could be allowed entry sooner under the "right circumstances. ” “[The ban] does go over a three-year period, but there is the opportunity for them to return in the right circumstances and that would be considered at the time," he said in an interview with the Australian radio station 2GB. Djokovic withdrew from the U. S. Open last month because the Centers for Disease Control does not allow unvaccinated foreigners to travel to the United States. He did not play any tournamnts in the U. S. in 2022 but was allowed to play the U. S. Open in 2021, where he lost his bid for a calendar Grand Slam in the final to Daniil Medvedev. Djokovic has said he won’t get the Covid-19 shots, even if that means he can’t go to certain tournaments . MORE FOR YOU WWE Extreme Rules 2021 Results: Winners, News And Notes As Roman Reigns Beats The Demon The World’s Highest-Paid Soccer Players 2021: Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo Reclaims Top Spot From PSG’s Lionel Messi The Good, Bad And Ugly From The Green Bay Packers’ Win Over The San Francisco 49ers He did play in the French Open, where he lost in the quarterfinals to Rafael Nadal, and at Wimbledon, which Djokovic won last month for his 21st Grand Slam title — one behind the men’s record of 22 held by Nadal. “The biggest thing for [Djokovic] is his personal risk that he's risking,” ESPN’s John McEnroe said. “Rafa, if he were to win this he would be two ahead [at 23 majors], that it would be tougher to separate himself in terms of the overall Grand Slam wins. And he's talked about wanting to be at the top of the heap and the greatest ever, which I respect, that he has the guts to say that. ” With Nadal having been knocked out of the U. S. Open in the fourth round, he will remain at 22 majors, one ahead of Djokovic, heading into Australia. Follow me on Twitter . Check out my website . Adam Zagoria Editorial Standards Print Reprints & Permissions.