Novak Djokovic hopes Australia will change its COVID-19 vaccination rules and allow him to play at the Australian Open next year.
Djokovic won the 2021 Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon titles, but was unable to defend his Melbourne Park crown, after refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
He lost his French Open title, going out to eventual champion Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals, but retained his Wimbledon crown on Monday (NZ time).
However, the 21-time major champion still cannot enter either Australia or the US.
"As things stand now, I cannot travel to Australia and the United States, but I am hoping to get positive news," said Djokovic, after being greeted by thousands of fans in front of Belgrade City Hall. "I believe things will change for the Australian Open.
"For the US Open, there is not much time, but hope dies last. I would like to play at the US Open and Australia Open, but even if I do not, it's not the end of the world."
After finishing 2021 one major short of a rare calendar-year Grand Slam, Djokovic's season has not panned out as he would have envisaged, after being deported from Melbourne and losing to Nadal at Roland Garros.
The 35-year-old has won the last four editions of Wimbledon in 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022, with the 2020 tournament cancelled, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He is now one Grand Slam title behind recordholder Nadal, who has won 22 majors.
Thousands of people waved Serbian flags and shouted 'Nole, Nole' - Djokovic's nickname in Serbian. Authorities organised fireworks and a concert.
Djokovic addressed the fans from the balcony of City Hall and threw 20 signed tennis balls into the crowd.
Reuters
